Garden City School supports troops through candy collection

By PAM SCHIFF

Posted 11/20/19

By PAM SCHIFF Asking a child to give up any of their Halloween candy is a tall order. But recently, the 297 students at Garden City Elementary School graciously donated hundreds of pounds of candy to be sent to U.S. troops serving both stateside and

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Garden City School supports troops through candy collection

REMEMBER TO BRUSH: Students from Heather Breton’s second grade class – from left, Hannah McNally, Anthony DeCesaris, Nina Mitchell, Matt McNally and Joey Ezyk – pose in front of “Sergeant Sweeth Tooth” with their candy donations.

(Herald photo by Pam Schiff)

Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2019 1:49 pm

By PAM SCHIFF

Asking a child to give up any of their Halloween candy is a tall order.

But recently, the 297 students at Garden City Elementary School graciously donated hundreds of pounds of candy to be sent to U.S. troops serving both stateside and overseas. The donations were collected as part of the school’s collaboration with the Blue Star Moms organization.

Garden City School has conducted the candy collection for the past four years. This year, the collection started on Nov. 1 and lasted for one week. All candy was placed into “Sergeant Sweet Tooth” in the lobby of school.

Danielle Parillo, president of the Family Engagement Network, made the collection bin, and remarked how excited the children were to feed “the monster.”

Second-grade teacher Heather Breton was impressed with the children’s generosity.

“Donating their Halloween candy helped bring the quote ‘sharing is caring’ to life. As much as the students love going trick-or-treating, they were even more excited to donate their candy to a worthy cause,” she said.

Due to certain restrictions, the donations can only include non-chocolate candies, so the donation weight is extra impressive.

“While sorting and bagging, students watched us like hawks to make sure we didn’t secretly grab a treat,” joked parent volunteer Rachel McNally.

Students in Ms. Breton’s class, Hannah and Matthew McNally, were excited to send their candy to service members.

“They get the candy and feel special,” Hannah said.

Matt added: “It makes us feel good to help. And it’s nice to do for the soldiers.”

Once the candy was all bagged and sorted, it was delivered to Blue Star Moms representative Doreen Holmes to be packed and sent to the soldiers.

“Hundreds of pounds of candies were collected by the biggest hearts in Rhode Island for our Marines and soldiers for Operation Holiday Cheer. Thank you from the humble hearts of the Rhode Island Blue Star Moms,” Collins said.

There were 375 care packages assembled for Operation Holiday Cheer, and the Blue Star Moms made a special stocking for each package, including the candy donated by Garden City students.