Do You Know Tom 'the Can Man'?
The longtime Safety Harbor resident has been roaming the city streets for more than a decade, collecting cans to help charity as well as his own state of mind.
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Chances are if you've spent any amount of time in downtown Safety Harbor, you've probably run into a man collecting aluminum cans.
But contrary to what you might think, the man isn't collecting cans because he's poor, or crazy or because he likes to collect junk.
No, the man known simply as Tom the Can Man started collecting cans as a way to free his mind of stress when his mother was ill more than a decade ago. And even though she has since passed away, Tom continues to collect cans as a way to exercise and be part of the community.
"I started doing it for therapy when my mom was sick about 10 years ago, and I've been doing it ever since," the 75-year-old said as he retrieved some cans from the trash barrel outside of Brady's Backyard BBQ.
"I give the tabs to the Shriners, I donate pennies I find to veterans, and I keep the cans for myself and recycle them," he admitted.
Tom says he sees his brother, who has diabetes, sit in front of the TV all day, and kids today spending more time playing video games than being outdoors, and it motivates him to keep collecting.
"I like to get out and get busy. That's the name of the game."
Tom, who has lived in town for more than 40 years, said some people leave cans for him in bags on their fences or throw them in the back of his pickup truck, and that they get worried if they don't see him every day.
One local business owner said Tom has been a staple of the downtown area for as long as he can remember.
"I remember him collecting cans back when I was a kid," Southern Fresh owner Aaron Stewart said. "He used to ride around on a bike, but now I noticed he walks a lot."
Indeed Tom, who also paints and gives away artwork, says he walks roughly 4 to 6 miles per day, and he accumulates about a half-dozen large garbage bags worth of cans every 10 days.
But he doesn't do it for the money; he does it for the exercise and the feeling of freedom it brings him. And despite his 75th birthday approaching in December, he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.
"If I stopped doing this, I'd die," he said.
Robert "Bobby" Saltzman
7:16 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Yup Jeff you keep finding all the Safety Harbor "Jewels". As a downtown trekker myself I have encounterd Tom on many occasions. This is one heck of a City.
Ross "Roscoe" Rayner
7:26 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
I can't count the times, during my run down Main St, I've seen this man. We exchange "hello" as I pass. Reading this, I realize how simple it is to give back.
Jeffrey Rosenfield
8:29 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thanks Bobby and Roscoe, but again I must give credit where credit is due, and that goes to Laura Kepner. She pointed Tom out to me while we were standing in front of Brady's, and I said "hmmmm, sounds like a Patchy story" and followed up on it. But Laura, that never-ending fountain of SH information, was the reason behind the piece. Thanks again, Laura!
Laura Kepner
8:47 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Jeff, there was something in it for me, too! I wanted to know more about Tom. :) I knew he had a cool story to share and you found it.
How many people have passed by this kind soul and made a quick judgement? There is always more to the story, isn't there? Great article, Jeff. As always. (And I'm glad I ran into you on Main yesterday!)
loriann gartland
10:26 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
yes i do and he is the sweetiest man around
loriann gartland
10:27 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Dear Dee ,
I went by your window today and omg it was so pretty
Jeffrey Rosenfield
10:28 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thanks Loriann. I will make sure Dee sees your comment!
Valerie Nolte
11:49 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
I actually had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Tom during the Wine Festival. I had seen him around town picking up cans but had never had the chance to do more than wave and say hi. Thanks for sharing "the rest of the story".
jarine
3:37 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tom is a great guy and very generous. We have one of his beautiful paintings that he gives away freely just because. Jeanie always looks forward to his treats too!
Terrie Dahl Thomas
3:47 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Tom is one of the most generous human beings I have ever met. He would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He also creates beautiful artwork and just gives it away. We are all blessed to have him in Safety Harbor :)
Jeffrey Rosenfield
3:49 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wow, what a terrific outpouring of support for this obviously beloved individual. Yet another example of why the Harbor is such a great place!
Glicy Colby
7:21 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
Good to know.. Thanks for sharing!
Gary Kilgard
6:45 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
We are spending some time during our recent retirements and found Safety Harbor. What a wonderful little town. You must be very proud of it. AND we met Tom, the can man. AND we received one of his paintings! We feel so fortunate to have met him and hope we can visit with him more often because he has so much to tell and give of himself. A wonderful reprieve from the "me" world we live in today. Thanks Tom for being you!!