FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact:

 

Cliff Seguin                                 Dominic Tom

Founder/Co-chair                        Event chair

OAAS                                         OAAS

518.260.9922                              518.338.3208

wiseeagle1@yahoo.com             dtom@nycap.rr.com

 

 

'Trick and Treat for Troops' set for October 24

Event eases loss of biggest annual fundraiser

 

WILTON – Operation Adopt A Soldier (OAAS) will hold a drop-in donation drive, “Trick and Treat for the Troops,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 24, at its temporary Route 9 office in Wilton as the non-profit tries to offset cancellation of its largest annual fundraiser.

The event takes place at 891 Saratoga Road (Route 9), near the intersection with Ballard Road. Donors will enter the site, drop off donations and exit via the opposite side of the horseshoe-shaped driveway. OAAS volunteers wearing personal protective equipment will collect donations of money and items while adhering to pandemic-related health regulations.

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OAAS uses the donations to fill and send free comfort kits to U.S. military personnel serving in areas of conflict. Each box carries a $12 postage cost.

Visitors will also be able to purchase shirts and sweatshirts carrying the OAAS logo and motto, “Till They All Come Home,” along with military stickers and, in recognition of the season, some Halloween-theme items. There is ample parking available.

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“This pandemic forced us to cancel our annual Harvest Event and Haunted Hayride,”said OAAS Founder/Co-chair Cliff Seguin. “It has been our biggest fundraiser each year, so we must make up for this big loss by having smaller events as we strive to continue meeting our goal of sending the kits each month. And we must do it safely so our always generous donors will have confidence in us.”

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OAAS earlier canceled all of its annual fundraisers, including the November Veterans Luncheon and casino bus trips, and special one-time events, such as a murder mystery theater dinner, because of crowd-size limits under the pandemic.

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Seguin also has a post-Halloween appeal for everyone.

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“For the first time publicly, we're asking that anyone who has Halloween tricks and treats left over after the fun passes to consider donating it to us,” he said. “It can be of any amount, from families whose kids collected too many goodies to retailers who didn't sell all their stock to Halloween party hosts whose guests didn't finish off the sweets.

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“Our members and volunteers from throughout the Capital District and North Country are ready to pick up the donations if anyone is unable to bring the treats to our office.”

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Items suitable for donation include non-perishable food, snacks, candy/gum, toiletries, energy bars/drinks, CDs/DVDs, stationery, games, puzzle books, sports gear, over-the-counter health products and phone cards. A more detailed list of items is posted on www.operationadoptasoldier.org.

OAAS cannot ship perishable/refrigerated foods, aerosols, cologne/perfume, hardcover books, used clothing and alcohol.

Useful donations that cannot be shipped or don't fit in the boxes are donated to area charities.

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The OAAS office is open from 10 a.m. to noon each Thursday and Saturday to accept donations, and by appointment for large-volume donations.

 

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