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Through the Halloween Candy Exchange, conceived by Hilde Friderichs and her daughters Amelia, 10, and Melina, 8, Mamaroneck Avenue School students have donated some of their Halloween candy to troops serving overseas.
This year, for the first time, Halloween Candy Exchange will be collecting candy at all six Mamaroneck elementary schools, including Mamaroneck Avenue School, Chatsworth Avenue School, Murray Avenue School, Central School, Bellows Elementary School and Daniel K. Warren Elementary School.
Girl Scout volunteers will begin gathering candy two days after Halloween on Friday and Monday prior to school beginning.
Once a child has made a donation, he or she signs a thank you letter that will be sent along with the candy to the soldiers. Children will receive a toothbrush in exchange for their candy. The Girl Scouts pack up the thank you cards and boxes, donated by Collins Brothers, for distribution overseas.
“We’re just thrilled to be able to be a part of this exceptional program, because not only does it help us serve our local community, but it also sends a message to our troops overseas that we’re grateful for the sacrifices they make,” Collins Brothers VP of Operations John Creeley said in a statement. “After all, pretty soon after Halloween is Veteran’s Day and what better way to honor it than to send our troops a giant care package from our kids.”
This year’s goal for Halloween Candy Exchange is to collect 400 pounds of candy at each school, which will translate to 30 boxes. If this goal is met, students at every school will receive an extra period of recess.
“This is a program where everybody wins,” Friderichs said in the statement. “The children feel great because they share their candy and get a free tootbrush - plus extra recess if we reach our goal! The dentists are grateful that we’re encouraging good dental hygiene. The soldiers really appreciate receiving the fun-sized candy, which brings back happy memories of Halloween at home.”
For more information about Halloween Candy Exchange, and how your school can participate, contact Hilde Friderichs at hilde555@hotmail.com
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