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Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary Collects Donations for Operation Candy Cane
Students at Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School are showing their appreciation for those serving in our nation’s armed forces by collecting donations for Operation Candy Cane, a project of the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition.
Each grade level was tasked with collecting a different item to donate. Kindergarten students brought in travel size toothpaste, first grade brought in pudding and fruit cups, second grade brought in fruit roll-ups, third grade brought in boxes of granola bars, fourth grade brought in Hormel-type microwave meals and fifth grade brought in boxes of hot cocoa mix.
All of the items collected will be delivered to the Cpl. Gregory J. Harris Military Courtesy Room at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse. The room provides servicemen and women with snacks, beverages and a comfortable place to rest and wait for flights or transportation to many of the local military installations. More than 106,000 military personnel visit the Courtesy Room each year. Any food donations collected that are beyond what the Courtesy Room needs will be given to local food pantries.
The Courtesy Room is named in honor of a local Marine, Cpl. Gregory J. Harris who was captured in June of 1966 during the Vietnam War and is still unaccounted for. Cpl. Harris was a 1963 Graduate of West Genesee High School and has family and friends that still live in Central New York.
Operation Candy Cane, run by Laura Hailston and Ron Schoonmaker, began 11 years ago to provide warm clothing and blankets to children in Afghanistan and has now evolved to focus on assisting troops and honoring veterans.
Besides food collection, Operation Candy Cane works to provide appreciation gifts to soldiers deploying for duty or returning home for the holidays, and provides unwrapped toys so returning soldiers can pick out a gift for their child.