4th Annual Treats For Troops Campaign Set To Begin

With Halloween just around the corner, it's time again for the annual Treats for Troops campaign.

The 4th Annual drive, organized by Tewksbury mother of three Kelly Wentworth, will gather Halloween candy and ship it off to men and women serving in the armed forced overseas.

Wentworth originally got the idea from a woman conducting a similar drive in another part of the country. She then partnered with Wilmington-based Local Heroes to package and ship the treats. Local Heroes is a team of volunteers that sends "CARE" packages to troops overseas. Over the past seven years, the group has sent over 15,000 packages to military across the globe.

A collection bin will be set up at Town Hall for residents to drop off candy from Oct. 29-Nov. 9 during normal Town Hall hours.

An official collection day will take place at Tewksbury's four elementary schools on Monday, Nov. 5 from 3 to 5 p.m.  All candy will be delivered to Local Heroes who will, in turn, send them out in packages during their weekly Wednesday packing parties at the K of C in Wilmington. 

the first year of the campaign, around 500 pounds of candy was donated and the project has grown each year since.

According to Wentworth, Local Heroes had debated about continuing the program because of the cost of postage to ship all the candy overseas.  She said she believes the group spent over $2500 shipping the candy last year.

The investment of time and money is well worth it, according to Wentworth, who said the candy packages are greatly appreciated by the troops.

Anyone wishing to donate to Local Heroes and help defray the cost of shipping out the Treats for Troops can send donations to the following:

Local Heroes, Inc.
P.O. Box 536
Wilmington, MA 01887-0536