Happy Halloween Seneca Valley! The spooky holiday is almost upon us, and that can only mean one thing: lots and lots of candy. Some of us will receive more candy than we could possibly eat by ourselves this year. If you aren’t sure what to do with your extra candy, consider donating it to our troops overseas.

The English Lutheran Church will be shipping care packages filled with candy to the brave men and women serving in all branches of the armed forces. However, if you can’t bear to part with any of your Halloween treats, there are other items that you could choose to donate. Black and white crew socks, powdered drink mixes, books, magazines, toiletries, “happy meal” toys, small stuffed animals, music, movies, stationary, and non-perishable snacks would all be greatly appreciated. Please also feel free to write a letter of thanks to our troops along with your donations.

If you would still like to help our troops but don’t wish to donate anything, you also have the option of sponsoring a care package. By sponsoring a care package, you will pay the cost of shipping for one box.

Donations will be collected beginning on November 1^st, and will continue being collected until December 5^th. Donations can be taken to the Caring Place in the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, X-Cel Gymnastics in Cranberry, the English Lutheran Church in Zelienople, Siri’s School of Performing Arts in Harmony, and the Family Sports Center in Butler.

If you are unable to donate any items or sponsor the shipment of a care package but still want to help the troops, then consider joining the English Lutheran Church on the night of December 5^th. They will be needing volunteers to come and help with packing the donated items. The event will start at 6 pm, and the whole family is invited to come. Children of all ages are welcome to come and help. The church is located at 200 E. Grandview Ave. in Zelienople.

If you have decided to sponsor the shipment of a care package, checks can be made payable to the English Lutheran Church with “Candy for Our Troops” in the memo field, and mailed to 200 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople PA, 16063.

If you have any questions about the event or would like to learn about more ways you could help the cause, please contact Jennifer Kaufman at either 724-766-0817, or email her at mjkjlk@zoominternet.net.