October 24, 2016 Taking candy from children is usually frowned upon, but teaching kids the value of giving back by donating their excess Halloween candy in support of U.S. Troops and First Responders is a win-win for kids, parents, and Healthcare providers alike. This Halloween, local trick-or-treaters will join kids across the nation when they bring their Halloween candy and handwritten letters of gratitude to any Southern New Hampshire Immediate Care location. The goodies will be shipped to Operation Gratitude for inclusion in Care Packages to U.S. Service Members deployed overseas in harm’s way and to First Responders serving here at home. “Southern New Hampshire is proud to work with first responders and representatives of our military in the greater Nashua region, and proud to support them overseas,” says Melissa Wu Director of Immediate Care. “This is a wonderful opportunity to engage our communities of staff, patients and area residents in saying “thank you for your service.” Americans spend an estimated $2.5 billion dollars on a whopping 600 million pounds of Halloween Candy each year. In 2015 alone, 294 tons of that candy was sent to Operation Gratitude for distribution through its Care Package Programs. "Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 1.6 Million Care Packages that include items such as DVDs, handmade scarves and hygiene products. Halloween candy is a wonderful addition to these packages," says Operation Gratitude's founder, Carolyn Blashek. “The candy is a great morale boost for the troops, and a means to create positive interaction with local children. Equally important is that the Halloween Candy GIVE-Back Program provides every American child the opportunity to learn about service and generosity.” Candy donations can be dropped off at any Immediate Care of Southern New Hampshire location, Mon-Fri.10am-8pm, Sat & Sun. 9am-6pm, November 1st-9th. AMHERST – 8 Limbo Lane HUDSON – 300 Derry Road MERRIMACK – 696 Daniel Webster Hwy NASHUA –29 Northwest Boulevard SOUTH NASHUA – 112 Spit Brook Road PELHAM – 33 Windham Road