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Area kids treat our troops

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Tessa, Logan and Kye Higgins, of rural Wauzeka, decided to donate their Halloween candy as Treats for Troops. Thanks to a little help from their parents and Suppz Gym’s Mary Sheckler, and her kids, 150 pounds of assorted candy was sent to surprise a number of troops.

By Correne Martin

Over 150 pounds of Halloween candy was sent to members of the military from the area, thanks to some local kids who gave up their goodies for a Treats for Troops effort.

It all began on Oct. 31 when Michael and Lara Czajkowski Higgins’ three kids were trick-or-treating and learned that another youngster was trick-or-treating for troops. When they got home that evening, Logan, Tessa and Kye discussed with their parents how they could do the same and help brighten a service member’s day. The three threw all of their candy into a bucket—all 10 pounds of it—and decided to pay it forward. Though, as kids can be kids, they kept 12 pieces each. The next day, they put up signs at their school about the plans to collect more treats, and Michael and Lara also placed Treats for Troops boxes at their workplaces, Peoples State Bank and Czajkowski Higgins and Rider.

“In one week, we had 85 pounds,” Michael said.

Due to the power of Facebook, Mary Sheckler, co-owner of Suppz Gym, saw a post about the Higgins family’s efforts. She decided to get her kids on board with the project, tossing their candy into the mix as well as some donations from their area gyms. This added another 65 pounds.

Once the 150 pounds was collected, the Treats for Troops were boxed and sent to an organization in California as well as to service members the families’ knew in other parts of the country. Some cash donations, from individuals who didn’t have candy to give, as well as some financing from Suppz Gym covered the cost of shipping the candy.

Michael said everyone involved was happy to be able to surprise the troops and to keep their kids’ candy supplies low. They hope to get more people involved next Halloween and make Treats for Troops from the area even bigger.

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