Dick Phenneger never imagined that scrap metal would rise to the top of the options pile to help fund a study of veterans and their families affected by the Agent Orange herbicide.

Phenneger's local nonprofit, Veteran Services Transparency (VST), has launched the Orange Heart Fund campaign, in which a scrap metal recycling program will be used as a fundraiser to help fund an epidemiological study of Vietnam veterans and their family members who have suffered from deformities caused by AO.

"Scientists insist that, for the greatest effectiveness, the study must be conducted by independent scientists with independent funds," said Phenneger, a Post Falls resident and a Vietnam veteran who was not exposed to AO.

The scrap metal recycling program starts today with containers in the parking lots of Trading Co. grocery store in Post Falls and Super 1 Foods in Hayden.

The containers will be staffed by veterans from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for the next week during the trial run to launch the program. The containers will be locked at night.

All types of scrap metal, including iron, aluminum and copper, will be accepted. Donations can include cans, car parts, barbecues, washers/dryers, stoves, hardware and other items. Items holding hazardous materials cannot be accepted.

Pacific Steel and Recycling, which is providing the containers, will sort and process the metal donations and apply all proceeds toward VST.

Steve Ball, Pacific's manager, said his company wanted to participate in the effort to support veterans.

"We appreciate their contributions to society," Ball said.

The donations, which are tax-deductible, will fetch market value. The current market is $80 to $120 per ton for scrap iron depending on the type, 25 to 60 cents per pound for aluminum and $1.25 to $2 per pound for the red metal group that includes copper and brass.

Donors will be given an Orange Heart Fund card confirming the donation.

Phenneger said the program is being launched initially for a trial run.

"We want to see how it goes, work out the kinks and see how we should modify it," he said. "Based on the results, we will expand the program throughout the Pacific Steel Northwest locations, then nationwide."

Containers will also be placed at area businesses this spring and summer. Phenneger is working with area manufacturing businesses and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, among others, on generating metal donations. He's also challenging veterans to participate by seeking donations or volunteering at the donation dropoff areas.

The program is also being launched on the Washington side. Donors can drop off metal at Pacific's facility in Spokane at 1114 N. Ralph off Trent Avenue anytime during business hours.

Phenneger said he realizes the fundraiser, which is being organized by all volunteers, is a huge undertaking and will take time to reach enough funds to complete the estimated $16 million nationwide AO study.

"It will take persistence," he said.

Phenneger spent six years researching the effects of AO on veterans and their families. A survey of 124 Vietnam vets in the region resulted in his "Forgotten" article, which was distributed to lawmakers and veterans group leaders.

Phenneger said 20 percent of the Vietnam veterans he interviewed had children with birth defects or related illnesses.

Phenneger said the government has fallen short of taking care of Vietnam veterans exposed to AO and more needs to be done as previous government-funded efforts on the subject have fizzled.

Post Falls veteran Gordon Lenke, who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars and was exposed to AO, is among those supporting Phenneger's effort. He has a daughter who has suffered from a deformity he believes is the result of his exposure to AO.

"The study has to be done," he said. "We have children who are second- and third-generation now who are affected. This gene or cell (that causes the deformities) needs to be vaccinated or killed. It can even skip a generation."

Phenneger is seeking volunteers to help man the containers. Those interested should contact him at 457-8382 or rep@VSTNow.org for more information. Volunteer coordinator Gordon Lenke can be reached at 620-1362.