CLEARWATER, Fla. – In the spirit of giving and sharing the Halloween spooky spirit, Clearwater’s recreation centers are collecting Halloween candy to send to U.S. servicemembers stationed overseas.
From November 1 through the 7, residents are encouraged to donate their extra candy to support the “Our Troops Online” organization.
“During Halloween, we celebrate not only with costumes and candies, but also with the spirit of sharing,” said Parks & Recreation Director Art Kader. “This candy collection drive is our way of extending that celebration to the brave men and women serving our nation overseas. Every piece of candy donated brings a little sweetness to their day and reminds them of home.”
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Those who participate in this initiative will not only bring smiles to the faces of service members abroad, but will also have the opportunity to earn exciting rewards. For every pound of candy donated, individuals will receive a small prize and be entered into a drawing for one of several grand prizes.
Prizes for children include board games, sporting equipment, bikes, fishing equipment and scooters. There are also prizes for teens and adults such as fitness equipment and swim gear. To further boost their chances, participants can write letters to the troops or contribute essential items such as ground coffee, toothpaste, razors, white tube socks or beef jerky.
“We value our decade-long relationship with the city of Clearwater’s Parks & Recreation, “said Mark Van Trees, Director of Support the Troops.
Support Our Troops is a nonprofit dedicated to shipping care packages to the forward operating bases in Afghanistan. Additional care packages are sent to 24 bases in the United States for troops returning from Afghanistan.
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Candy donations are being accepted at the following recreation centers from Nov. 1-7:
Clearwater Beach Recreation Center Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. -noon
Countryside Recreation Center Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.- 8:30 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Long Center Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5p.m.
Morningside Recreation Complex Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Moccasin Lake Nature Center Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Greenwood Recreation Complex Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m.
Ross Norton Recreation Complex Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
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