Haddon Heights, NJ – The trailer, donated by National Freight Inc. pulled out of the parking lot today, loaded with about 4 tons of candy being shipped overseas by Keystone Soldiers. The candy drive this year was even bigger than 2007 thanks to the added efforts of several local dentists who helped Dr. Markus try to break last year’s national record for candy donated by local children.

Once again, it was the kids from the area, themselves we have to thank. It’s one thing when there’s a collection in school for flood victims, or the Red Cross; it’s another thing when instead of their parents’ money, they are donating their hard-earned Halloween candy.

Many offices offered raffle prizes for every pound of candy donated. Several offices also were able to donate badly needed cash to Keystone Soldiers, to help defray the expenses of shipment to Iraq and Afghanistan. Information about this organization can be found, on the web, at www.keystonesoldiers.com .

“Not only are we providing materiel to the troops, but we are also preventing decay in New Jersey, and nationally, by taking this candy off the streets. The kids who’ve taken part in this the past several years have truly gotten the understanding of charitable giving. They are taking something that was valuable to them, and giving it to others who need it more than they do. The letters that some children wrote to our soldiers, to accompany the cartons of candy were heartwarming.

Rough amounts of candy collected:
Dr. Steve Markus, Haddon Heights 4200 lbs
Dr. Harry Monokian, Marlton 550
Dr. Beth Snyder, Doylestown 375
Dr. Jeff Rosenberg, Old City 300
Dr. Buzz Waterston, Media 300
Dr. Ron Rotem 1975

The collected candy will all be boxed by our office and shipped to Keystone Soldiers, who handled all 5600 pounds last year. The candy is used to make Christmas packages for the troops, to cheer up soldiers who are rehabilitating in hospitals at overseas bases, and to foster relationships with children who provide information to our troops in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This year, there is an added and important item on our agenda. We need checks, in any amount, to Keystone Soldiers to help defray the costs of shipping the candy overseas (which last year exceeded $10,000). I have already enrolled Citibank as a sponsor, and we need others. Any contribution of over $1000 will provide you with signage on the trailer (donated by NFI Freight).

We have also broadened the scope of available donation sites by inviting other friends of Dr. Markus’ throughout the region, to join the project. Please begin your thinking about this now, so that by the time Halloween comes around, we will be able to fill our trailer, and hand a nice large check to the volunteers at Keystone Soldiers.

Candy collection hours are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 1st from 10-4. We will definitely be collecting candy on Monday, November 3rd from 9-7, Tuesday November 4th (Election Day) from 9-3 and Wednesday November 5th from 9-7.