McConnellsville Elementary School -

Thanks to the McConnellsville Student Council, and the support of the school community, the sweet taste of Halloween will also become a sweet taste of home for American soldiers. The Council recently held its first “Candy Takeback” event during the week spanning from November 4th to November 8th.

During this event, members of the school community were invited to send back excess or unwanted halloween candy for collection. The candy is being donated to the Council’s “Adopted Platoon”, the 1-10th Attack Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade from the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army. The platoon is currently stationed overseas, and has around 15 soldiers in it.

Originally, the plan was to send a banner signed by students for Veterans Day, and collect items later. The candy donation was put on the fast track by third grader Salvatore Mannino.

“I showed all of my library classes the picture of our platoon and explained we would be collecting items for them later in the school year,” Advisor Shelley Malenowski said. “And Salvatore said ‘That’s like my karate studio. They are collecting unwanted Halloween candy.’ That gave me the idea to adapt it into the Candy Takeback Program.”

The response has been overwhelming. The student council has not only collected enough candy for Veterans’ Day, but to send additional packages for upcoming holidays through the Spring. The McConnellsville Student Council will be making Thanksgiving cards in the days ahead to accompany packages, and students will also be making Holiday cards for a library activity to go with the next shipment.

Collection drives for oft-requested personal items are also planned in the future as the relationship evolves. Thank you to all who have donated up to this point!