When Fast Cash Bottle & Can Redemption Center opened a year ago, owners Chris Heitzenrater and Joseph   Bujalski had they idea to give an extra penny per return for charities.

They weren’t expecting a response like this.

In a little over a year and a half, the Town of Lockport business has raised over $25,000 for a variety of local charities.   That includes non-profit organizations and fundraisers, as well as community groups such as the Palace Theatre, Save A Pet   and Camp Happiness. DeSales Catholic and Lockport City Schools have had some returns donated in their name as well, for programs   like boys and girls lacrosse teams or sports boosters.

Altogether, more than 60 are earning 6 cents per item returned to either of Fast Cash’s locations, South Transit Road in the   Home Depot Plaza or on Union Road in Cheektowaga.

“We didn’t know it would get as big as it’s gotten,” Heitzenrater said.

With so many organizations facing tough economic times, that extra penny can go a long way, Heitzenrater said. Plus, like   other returns, the cans and bottles are recycled instead of thrown out.

“It keeps them out of the landfill,” Bujalski said.

In order to take part in Fast Cash’s program, a charity or organization has to be a legitimate one with a tax identification   number. However, fundraisers and benefits can participate too.

And for those wanting to donate? All they have to do is bring their bottles and cans to Fast Cash in Lockport or Cheektowaga   and say the returns are to be donated to whatever group the person wants. And so far, a ton of returns have been donated.

“The community has really come through,” Heitzenrater said.

Sue Thorman and Sue Williams of Saddle Up for Roswell said all of the money raised through bottle and can returns, like Saddle   Up, goes to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo.

“Every bit of it,” Thorman said.

Mike Walker and Ray Pierce of VFW Local 2535 said Fast Cash returns helped pay for the Local’s Memorial Day parade and build   a handicap accessible ramp on VFW hall on Caledonia.

Fast Cash isn’t the only local bottle and can return center that offers a program for charity. The Niagara County Bottle &   Can Redemption Center on Lake Avenue in Wrights Corners offers an extra half-cent on each return for non-profit organizations,   benefits and fundraisers.