Operation Gratitude

Students and staff members at Penn Wood Elementary School set a new record when collecting Halloween candy for United States troops and veterans this year - 356 pounds!

Diane Treon, a third-grade teacher at Penn Wood who organized the candy collection drive, said this year's response was overwhelming.

"The Penn Wood school community reached out, asking when they could bring in candy for the soldiers. I loaded boxes and bags upon bags of candy into my car, having no idea that we would surpass last year's record number 329 pounds," said Treon. "What was even more amazing is that I learned that the father of one of our kindergarten students is serving on a ship in Bahrain and would be thrilled to receive a package of candy."

Treon said the candy was sent to troops stationed on the ship in Bahrain, the Coatesville VA hospital, and Operation Gratitude's Halloween Candy Give-Back Program.

Operation Gratitude's Halloween Candy Give-Back Program began in 2007. According to their website, " The organization donates the candy to deployed troops, local military units, veterans, and first responders with the goal of forging strong bonds between the civilian and service communities nationwide."