Local man's invention designed to help nonprofits
Published on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Communities
"Can Do" has been Don Mann's slogan for more than thirty years, ever since he served in the Navy Seabees during Vietnam.
As a heavy equipment manufacturer, the Marysville man invented the Mann Can Do attachment for excavation, which has been sold and used around the world.
A steelworker by trade, Mann has used his creative instincts to solve problems and engineer solutions for the construction industry for years. But lately, he has shifted his focus to the needs of his community.
Residents will soon see bright green and silver cans of all sizes popping up around Snohomish County with the label Coin Can Do. The containers, which range in size from coffee cans to 10-foot monolithic steel structures, are designed to collect donations for nonprofit organizations in our backyard.
"I've been working on this for a year and a half," said Mann, "and most of the pieces are in place."
The cans are fabricated by Mann and his staff, and feature a concave weatherproof lid to collect coins as well as a slot for currency and checks. The containers are solid and secure, bolted into concrete pads with interior and exterior locking mechanisms and solar-powered lights.
Mann, whose company also provides recycling services, emphasizes the fact that he's recycling scrap materials into useful products, a project that's as good for the environment as it is for the community.
"I've always been a giver," Mann continued, "and I want to encourage everyone to not consider what you'll receive but what you can give."
Funds collected in the Coin Can Do units will be used to help the disabled, seniors, veterans, the uninsured and unemployed, and will help fund food banks, shelters and ministries.
He will partner with local businesses for placement of the collection cans. In consideration of allowing space for the Coin Can Do, business owners will receive a percentage of the money collected.
Mann's goal is to have ten large cans in place by late 2009. By the end of the following year, he envisions a thousand cans in service around Washington state, all contributing to badly-needed community services.
The specially designed containers will feature a donation gauge for visual impact, along with recognition of major contributors on a side panel. Large donors will also be listed on the Coin Can Do Web site, www.coincando.com.
All donations received and disbursed will also be tracked on the Web site, and the company will respond to funding suggestions for programs or agencies that are doing good work in the community.
"I'm in this for the long haul," said Mann. "I've been blessed with a vision that can help others, and I intend to follow through."
As a heavy equipment manufacturer, the Marysville man invented the Mann Can Do attachment for excavation, which has been sold and used around the world.
A steelworker by trade, Mann has used his creative instincts to solve problems and engineer solutions for the construction industry for years. But lately, he has shifted his focus to the needs of his community.
Residents will soon see bright green and silver cans of all sizes popping up around Snohomish County with the label Coin Can Do. The containers, which range in size from coffee cans to 10-foot monolithic steel structures, are designed to collect donations for nonprofit organizations in our backyard.
"I've been working on this for a year and a half," said Mann, "and most of the pieces are in place."
The cans are fabricated by Mann and his staff, and feature a concave weatherproof lid to collect coins as well as a slot for currency and checks. The containers are solid and secure, bolted into concrete pads with interior and exterior locking mechanisms and solar-powered lights.
Mann, whose company also provides recycling services, emphasizes the fact that he's recycling scrap materials into useful products, a project that's as good for the environment as it is for the community.
"I've always been a giver," Mann continued, "and I want to encourage everyone to not consider what you'll receive but what you can give."
Funds collected in the Coin Can Do units will be used to help the disabled, seniors, veterans, the uninsured and unemployed, and will help fund food banks, shelters and ministries.
He will partner with local businesses for placement of the collection cans. In consideration of allowing space for the Coin Can Do, business owners will receive a percentage of the money collected.
Mann's goal is to have ten large cans in place by late 2009. By the end of the following year, he envisions a thousand cans in service around Washington state, all contributing to badly-needed community services.
The specially designed containers will feature a donation gauge for visual impact, along with recognition of major contributors on a side panel. Large donors will also be listed on the Coin Can Do Web site, www.coincando.com.
All donations received and disbursed will also be tracked on the Web site, and the company will respond to funding suggestions for programs or agencies that are doing good work in the community.
"I'm in this for the long haul," said Mann. "I've been blessed with a vision that can help others, and I intend to follow through."
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