| Take a glance at your calendar. We're at the first | | | | Perhaps planning a pot luck luncheon could be in |
| step of Fall 2009. Where does the time go? Before | | | | conjunction with the loot bagging event would be fun. |
| you know it, ghosts and goblins will be knocking at | | | | We all work better with full tummies! |
| your door, anxiously looking for candy treats. | | | | The candy can be donated as is, or the candy could |
| Before Halloween, we shop for just the right | | | | be put into Christmas stockings. Overseas shipping is |
| pumpkin and costume. And, we spend many dollars | | | | not usually an overnight delivery, so instead of |
| on bagged candies. Candy unwrapped in small bags, | | | | receiving just leftovers, our troops could receive |
| assortment bags, and jumbo-sized bags. We find out, | | | | some goodies from home packed in a Christmas |
| later, that we bought more candy than we needed. | | | | stocking. Perhaps local stores would be willing to |
| So, how do we get rid of all these bags of sugar? | | | | donate Christmas stockings or other containers. |
| Many times, we take the left over candy to our | | | | When the word gets out about the candy drive, local |
| offices or let it sit until it's stale (about Thanksgiving), | | | | newspapers, department stores, groceries, and other |
| and then throw it away. | | | | businesses might be happy to join in with your |
| Sometimes, charities or local soup kitchens, or local | | | | efforts. |
| churches will accept leftover Halloween candy, to | | | | There are several organizations that accept donations |
| give to homeless children and needy families enjoy | | | | to be sent to the troops, such as The Salvation |
| the treats. | | | | Army. But, many others can easily be found by doing |
| Another group that would be happy to receive treats | | | | a search on the Internet. Just type in something like |
| from home, is our overseas troops. Nothing tastes as | | | | "where to donate candy to sent to overseas troops." |
| good as something from home. It might not be as | | | | Two groups, in particular, are and |
| good as actually being here to celebrate Halloween | | | | Flat Rate Priority Shipping boxes can be picked up at |
| with their children, but still, being included rather than | | | | your local post office. They even offer a $2.00 |
| excluded is good. | | | | shipping discount on boxes that are being sent to |
| So, this year, instead of just throwing the leftover | | | | APO/FPO addresses. Boxes weighing about 25 lbs, |
| candy away, why not organize a neighborhood candy | | | | can be shipped to this type of address for just a |
| drive, to collect the leftover candy. Volunteers could | | | | little over $10.00. |
| be tasked to let people know (before Halloween) | | | | So before you throw out that leftover Halloween |
| that any unwanted candy will be picked up and sent | | | | candy, maybe you'd like to send it to someone that |
| overseas to our troops. Other people can volunteer | | | | would not only enjoy eating it, but would appreciate |
| to pick up the candy on a designated day. | | | | being remembered. I can't think of anyone that |
| When the loot is collected, the volunteers can | | | | needs a "care" package from home. |
| separate and package the candy in shipping boxes. | | | | |