Kiwanis Clubs send 909 pounds of candy to soldiers overseas

Kiwanis Clubs in the greater Sacramento area have gathered 909 pounds of candy to ship to American troops overseas. The figures will continue to grow as their program runs through Christmas Eve.Kiwanis Clubs in Rocklin, Auburn, Lincoln, Roseville, Granite Bay, Rancho Murieta, West Sacramento, Jackson, and Carmichael are running holiday stores to sell See's candy. Their goal is to raise funds for their service projects. Their extra effort is to encourage buyers to get extra candy for the donation program.Sgt. David Partak of the California National Guard is coordinating the pickup and delivery of donated candy at the Kiwanis outlets. His first pickup at Kiwanis holiday stores was made Dec. 9. He reports that Lincoln Kiwanis has gathered 403 pounds of See's product, by far the leader of the Kiwanis clubs. The Auburn club has donated 126 pounds, and Rancho Murieta, 90 pounds.The Rocklin Kiwanis Club is selling See's products at its trailer location at the corner of Park and Sunset boulevards in Rocklin. Profits will go toward the many service projects for which Kiwanis is known. For instance, the club's members took 146 youngsters shopping at Kmart recently, letting each child spend $60 on gifts of their choosing.Chairperson Tom Kubicko reported candy sales reached $19,910 as of last Wednesday. The candy for soldiers is an extra program. Candy buyers are encouraged to do one of two things – buy candy and toss it in the pile headed overseas or make a cash donation so Kiwanis can buy more candy for soldiers.The Kiwanis holiday store is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Christmas Eve. They will remain open until 9 p.m. after Dec. 21. Last year they sold out of their inventory by early the day before Christmas.~Staff report