Soroptimists Collecting Candy for Troops

It's the holidays, and for the chocoholics among us, 'tis the season to consume (and give) more candy than usual.

When you step out to pick up your yearly pound of nuts and chews, the folks at Soroptimist International of Rio Cosumnes want you to also consider buying one for a U.S. soldier stationed overseas.

The local women's organization has added a new service this year to the pop-up holiday boutique they staff each December: Buy candy at the store and they'll send it to troops for free.

"We're very patriotic people and a number of us have had children who were in the service. It just seemed like such a good project," said Betty Hall, .

"People can purchase a box and write a personal note on it and it will be picked up and shipped over to Afghanistan. Or if they have an address of someone specific over there, it will go to that soldier."

The Soroptimists are partnering with See's for Soldiers, a project started by Sgt. First Class David Partak, the retention manager for the California Army National Guard. A one-pound box of chocolates costs $16.50, and other gifts at the store range from $1 to $20, said Hall.

Proceeds go to support Soroptimist projects, which include helping and the , providing scholarships to women and girls, and mentoring low-income women through Elk Grove Food Bank Services.

The store is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily through Dec. 24 at 9665 E. Stockton Blvd, next to in the Village at Elk Grove shopping center.