<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=15ZDw2_1Gpmp8uX00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=15ZDw2_1Gpmp8uX00" width="1250" height="703" ><figcaption>Mark Van Trees sorts through a care package. (Spectrum News)</figcaption></figure>CLEARWATER, Fla. — If you’re looking for something to do with all that leftover Halloween candy, the City of Clearwater will gladly take it off your hands.Clearwater recreation centers are holding weigh-ins of sweet proportions, and all of it will go toward a good cause.“Last year, we collected, I want to say, about 1,300 pounds of candy; about 350, almost 400 pounds of toiletries; and just over 125 letters that went out,” said Thomas Heine, who is Aquatic Coordinator at Morningside Recreation Center.This marks 10 years the City has partnered with Support our Troops for the Sweet Swap. Donated items are collected at area rec centers and sent as care packages to service members overseas.Mark Van Trees has been with the organization 14 years and says a few items top the wish list.“White tube socks, beef jerky, because it’s protein and it’s light, hard candy because, once again, it doesn’t melt, gum, toothpaste,” Van Trees said.Donating those items gets you raffle tickets and a chance at winning a variety of prizes for all ages.“We have everything from the younger kiddos to be athletic with sports stuff, to Legos, to some even technology for the teens, all the way up now to the adults, which is really cool,” Heine said.Organizers say the best part about it is giving back.“We have 65,000 troops deployed all over the world right now. And so they’ll miss birthdays, weddings, miss, you know, reunions and all sorts of things,” Van Trees said. “So, they get one of these, and it’s a piece of home."“It’s one of those jobs that really, truly takes a specific person, and we have to honor them,” Heine said.Donations are being collected at rec centers across Clearwater until Saturday, Nov. 7.LOCATIONS:<ul><li>Monday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.</li><li>Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.</li><li>Saturday: 8 a.m. – noon</li></ul><ul><li>Monday–Friday: 5 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.</li><li>Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.</li></ul><ul><li>Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.</li><li>Friday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.</li><li>Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.</li></ul>Tuesday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.<ul><li>Monday–Friday: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.</li><li>Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.</li><li>Sunday: 1 p.m. –5 p.m.</li></ul><ul><li>Monday–Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.</li><li>Saturday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.</li></ul><ul><li>Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.</li><li>Saturday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.</li></ul>PRIZES AND BONUS TICKETSFor every pound of candy donated, you earn one ticket for a chance to win amazing prizes!Earn bonus tickets for:<ul><li>Letters to our troops (1 ticket)</li><li>A donation (2 tickets)</li></ul>THE TOP REQUESTED DONATION ITEMS ARE:<ul><li>Ground coffee</li><li>Toothpaste</li><li>Razors</li><li>White tube socks</li><li>Beef jerky</li></ul></div></body>

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — If you’re looking for something to do with all that leftover Halloween candy, the City of Clearwater will gladly take it off your hands. Clearwater recreation centers are holding weigh-ins of sweet proportions, and all of it will go toward a good cause. “Last year,...

Clearwater's Sweet Swap helps support troops

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CLEARWATER, Fla. — If you’re looking for something to do with all that leftover Halloween candy, the City of Clearwater will gladly take it off your hands.

Clearwater's Sweet Swap helps support troops

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