Candy Collection Exceeds Expectations

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

When Jane Holmes contacted the Times-Union a couple of months ago, asking the community for candy for the troops, she didn't quite expect all the sweetness she received.

Holmes planned to send her son, Army soldier Nicholas Patterson, a nice Christmas package featuring a variety of candy.

She hoped to also send treats, in quart-sized bags, to her son's associates - other service men and women. At the end of September her goal was 800 packages.

She sent 1,667 goody bags in 21 large shipping boxes Nov. 6.

"It was far bigger than I ever expected," the DePuy employee said.

Donations of candy and other items poured into the collection boxes set up at DePuy. Much to her surprise, DePuy paid for shipping, too.

Lakeview Middle School students collected candy for weeks. Elementary school children wrote letters (which they hope are answered). Prayers were tucked into each bag, too.

Donations came from area stores and the hospital.

Holmes and her husband, Scott, both work at DePuy.

Nicholas is a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School. He has a son, Reilley, 3, who resides in Akron. His father and stepmother are Jim and Virginia Patterson, Rochester. [[In-content Ad]]

When Jane Holmes contacted the Times-Union a couple of months ago, asking the community for candy for the troops, she didn't quite expect all the sweetness she received.

Holmes planned to send her son, Army soldier Nicholas Patterson, a nice Christmas package featuring a variety of candy.

She hoped to also send treats, in quart-sized bags, to her son's associates - other service men and women. At the end of September her goal was 800 packages.

She sent 1,667 goody bags in 21 large shipping boxes Nov. 6.

"It was far bigger than I ever expected," the DePuy employee said.

Donations of candy and other items poured into the collection boxes set up at DePuy. Much to her surprise, DePuy paid for shipping, too.

Lakeview Middle School students collected candy for weeks. Elementary school children wrote letters (which they hope are answered). Prayers were tucked into each bag, too.

Donations came from area stores and the hospital.

Holmes and her husband, Scott, both work at DePuy.

Nicholas is a 2001 graduate of Rochester High School. He has a son, Reilley, 3, who resides in Akron. His father and stepmother are Jim and Virginia Patterson, Rochester. [[In-content Ad]]

Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission
Syracuse Variances

Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission
Syracuse Exceptions

Court news 05.03.25
The following people have filed for marriage licenses with Kosciusko County Clerk Melissa Boggs:

Public Occurrences 05.03.25
County Jail Bookings The following people were arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Understanding Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) And Using Them
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are for people over the age of 70.5 years old. Unlike other distributions, which are taxed at ordinary income tax rates, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) allow for a tax-free distribution from an IRA, provided that the distribution goes directly to a qualified charity.