Kristin Holtz of the Shakopee Valley News reports:

On Saturday night, kids everywhere dressed as ghosts and goblins, princesses and superheroes, to trick-or-treat for Halloween candy.

On Monday, some of them gave it all back.

St. Francis Regional Medical Center and Park Dental Shakopee collected nearly 700 pounds of Snickers bars, M&Ms, Skittles and other sugary treats for U.S. troops serving overseas.

In their first-ever candy buyback event, organizers traded dollar bills for pounds of candy. The response from the community was more than they bargained for.

“I never expected so many kids to give up their Halloween candy,” said Lisa Northrup, Park Dental practice manager.

“It’s surpassed our expectations,” said Michael Morris, St. Francis’ director of business development.

Evan and Emily Good of Chaska donated 5 pounds of candy to the buyback.

“It sounded cool and it’s for the troops, too,” said Evan, 11.

Ten-year-old Michael Schulze of Shakopee said he wanted to send his candy to the troops so they would have something to eat. He and his sister, Elizabeth, 6, donated 8 pounds. They each kept 30 pieces of candy at home.

While kids were enjoying the cold, hard cash, parents were glad to get rid of Halloween’s sugary temptations.

“I love it. As a mother, it’s the best idea ever,” said Shannon Happe of Eden Prairie. Then scanning over the dozen boxes heaped with candy in the St. Francis lobby, she added, “Imagine if they ate it all.”

“Kids don’t need that much candy and to go to a good cause makes it that much better,” Michael and Elizabeth Schulze’s mother, Paula, said.

The buyback was a hit right from the beginning, collecting 200 pounds in the first 20 minutes, said St. Francis spokeswoman Lori Manske. A total of 235 kids donated during the three-hour event.

Barb Villano of Blue Star Mothers South Metro said she was overwhelmed by the kids’ generosity. In addition to donating candy, the kids also made thank-you cards to send to the troops.

Villano said the Blue Star Mothers, a national organization of mothers whose sons and daughters are serving overseas, took some of the candy to stuff in Christmas care packages. St. Francis will ship the remaining boxes overseas. St. Francis will also donate $2 for every pound to the new Jordan Area Food Shelf.

Morris suggested the candy buyback after hearing about similar projects. One family gave their money back after donating candy because their father is serving in Afghanistan, Morris said. He noted a handful of other kids also chose to give the money back.
A neighbor told Kristi Masser of Savage about the buyback. She brought her three kids — Ella, 8; Keegan, 6; and Kerrick, 4 — to donate 8 pounds of Halloween treats.

“I think it’s wonderful to teach them to support the troops and the local community,” she said as her kids drew thank-you notes.
After the Masser kids finished their cards, they each received a free toothbrush from Park Dental. Outside the hospital, Masser squeezed her children’s hands and praised their generosity.

“I’m so proud of you for giving away your candy,” she said.

Kristin Holtz is a staff writer for the the Shakopee Valley News. She can be reached at kholtz@swpub.com.