Sophomore Mona Tahghighi loves receiving pop tabs.

These small, aluminum tabs that most would normally not think twice about when they toss their soda can in the trash is what Tahghighi is turning into a money-making business. All of the proceeds are going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

With a little bit of time, some bugging of friends and families for pop tabs and a touch of creativity, Tahghighi was able to have her project come together.

It began Tahghighi's senior year of high school when she and other members of her school's International Thespian Society began collecting pop tabs to make into bracelets for fun.

The International Thespian Society is the Educational Theatre Association's student honorary organization that recognizes the achievements of middle school and high school theater students.

"We did it for maybe a month just making them," Tahghighi said. "We met up a couple times in over a month. We made a few hundred of them and then just kind of sold them all."

The more pop tab bracelets they made and sold, the more they realized they should donate their profits to charity, Tahghighi said.

It was only natural that the charity Tahghighi and her thespian troupe chose was Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS due to its theater background. BC/EFA is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.

AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection, which causes those diagnosed with AIDS to have very poor immune systems.

BC/EGA puts on a variety of theater productions and hosts online auctions of theater merchandise to raise money for AIDS research.

Once Tahghighi arrived at Southeast Missouri State University last year, she knew she wanted to carry on the work she had done in high school. Although Tahghighi hasn't directly been affected by AIDS, she went through a difficult experience in high school that made her want to help others that are suffering.

During her senior year of high school, one of Tahghighi's friends lost his battle to cancer. Being in her high school's student council, Tahghighi was able to help raise money for her friend's medical bills during his battle.

After experiencing her friend go through so much while having cancer, Tahghighi realized that everyone needs some help every once in a while.

"I'm kind of one of those people that I need to do everything I can just to do something," Tahghighi said. "I always have to put myself there and maybe not put myself in their shoes but at least maybe my shoes next to theirs just so you can catch a glimpse of what they may be going through. It's one of those things that I really need to help out with."

Last year, Tahghighi continued to make and sell the pop tab bracelets on her own but this year expects help.

"Last year, it was just 'Can I try and sell it to the people on my floor?'" Tahghighi said. "'Can I try and sell it to my friends?' I mean, you know, we're all broke college kids so it's a little more difficult to raise those funds."

Tahghighi generally sells the bracelets for two dollars each but is flexible with the pricing. Since she's started selling the bracelets after high school, Tahghighi has raised $20.

This year, Tahghighi is hoping that by posting on the Southeast Facebook group page "Free & For Sale" she will gain more customers.

"I would like to raise maybe $100 by the end of the school year," Tahghighi said. "I mean every penny helps, and I personally don't have anyone in my life that is affected by AIDS, but there are people who are affected and who are related to people with AIDS and it's devastating."