The candy votes are in, and our Spooktacular Door Decorating Contest was a huge hit. With 11 departments participating in this inaugural event, the city was able to bring in over 6,000 pieces of candy in donation from city staff and the general public. In addition, the city was granted a last minute donation of several pounds of candy from the Detroit Zoo.
The amount of candy we brought in far exceeded the approximately 3,000 pieces we needed to participate in the Spooktacular safe trick-or-treating event. Monday found the City Manager's Office reaching out to various groups throughout the community to help spread the Halloween spirit.
Leftover candy was distributed to:
Operation Gratitude- A nonprofit group that collects Halloween candy to be sent to United States troops serving around the world.
Judson Center- A nonprofit agency providing autism, behavioral health, child welfare and disability services to children, adults and families throughout southeast Michigan.
Common Ground- Common Ground provides a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis, victims of crime, persons with mental illness, people trying to cope with critical situations and runaway and homeless youths.
Royal Oak Senior Center- Offers mature adults 50 and better opportunities for lifelong education, fitness, nutrition, and leisure activities.
Salvation Army - Charitable organization that aids the poor, destitute, and hungry.
Boys and Girls Club- Offers a number of programs for 6-18 year-olds to help them reach their full potential.
St. Mary’s Warming Center- Supported by seven local churches, the St. Mary's Warming Center opens its doors to the homeless in our community, offering blankets, a place to stay overnight, and serving breakfast.
Blessing in a Backpack- Mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.
Employees also volunteered and gave out a significant chunk of our candy at the Spooktacular safe trick-or-treating event on October 30th. Way to Reach Out Royal Oak!