Community Council is partnering with Operation Gratitude, a national nonprofit devoted to supporting members of the military, veterans and first responders, to host a leftover Halloween candy drive Nov. 2 through 4.

Community Council is the Upper School’s community service organization, and throughout the year, members are tasked with hosting charity events, drives and fundraisers, as well as finding ways to get the community involved with community service.

Community Council member Izzy Welsh ’22 said because of the popularity of trick or treating, a candy drive was a good opportunity to give back to those who serve the community using excess candy students had.

“Because many students in the HW community have little siblings who trick or treated, or even trick or treated themselves, we thought that hosting a candy drive would be a wonderful way to help show our appreciation for those who have served our country,” Welsh said.

The Halloween Candy Give-Back Program was founded by Operation Gratitude in 2007 to allow Americans to donate some of their extra Halloween candy to deployed members of the military, veterans and first responders to give them a message of gratitude.

Upper School Counselor Michelle Bracken, who is a faculty advisor for Community Council, said she views the candy drive as a perfect opportunity for students to give back to the community and those who serve.

“A Halloween candy drive for Operation Gratitude which sends the candy to military bases and to those serving abroad is a great way for students and faculty to contribute to those in need,” Bracken said. “Many people have leftover candy and could give some of it to others, [so] this candy drive helps give perspective on giving back and giving to others.”

Students can bring unopened pieces of candy to donate to Operation Gratitude through Community Council’s bins on the quad and near the Main Gate’s security kiosk.

Avery Azad ’24, who donated candy to the drive, said she appreciates that the school provides students opportunities during holiday seasons and throughout the year to give back to the community.

“I love how the students can give back to the community at each holiday and sharing the things we take for granted,” Azad said.