Sweet-n-Greet for our Troops

As the fall approaches, we think of the leaves turning beautiful colors, the weather getting cooler and the holidays that are approaching. To us, the holiday season starts right after Labor Day. My friends and family tease me that I “beg for goodies this time of the year.” 

They are referring to the service projects that keep us busy.

When you buy your Halloween candy (yes, there I said it…HALLOWEEN) buy an extra bag of candy and set it aside (or in my house, I have to hide it behind the dog food). For the last few years, we’ve been collecting the left over Halloween candy a week after the holiday. By then, it’s time for the candy to leave the house since the kids have been on a sugar high for too long. This year the drop off date will be Friday, November 4, or you can contact us and we’ll retrieve the candy.

The mountain of candy is sorted with two specific destinations. The hard candy is shipped over seas to our Troops. In the last five years, we’ve shipped over 200 lbs. of hard candy. One soldier wrote a note last year explaining that the children of war don’t understand our language, but their face lights up when they see a lollipop!  They refer to it as a “sweet-n-greet” from the States. 

When the box arrives overseas, the soldiers feel like a little piece of home is being sent their way. The postal box costs approximately $10.50 and we are always looking for people to donate the cost of the postage. 

The chocolate and other goodies get sent to the Caldwell Community Center. In the last few years, they have used the candy at the Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Luncheon. They are amazed at the bags and bags of candy we bring in to them.  You would be surprised how happy candy makes people. (Heck a cup of coffee and chocolate and I’m set all day.)

Some schools require community service hours. This is an excellent opportunity for you to obtain your hours. As the founder of Community Kids, I can sign and acknowledge your service time. This is a great scouting project or just something special to share with the children. Explain that the candy is going to be sent to the other side of the World to share with our Troops.

If you would like to participate in this or other service projects, please contact me at jetspigott@aol.com.