Candy Man From Brookfield

Helps Fill WIN’s Easter Baskets

By John Voket

As the plant manager at the Peter Paul Hershey’s plant in Naugatuck, Anthony Edwards knows he has a pretty sweet job. But nothing makes him happier than to see the smiles on children’s faces when they bite into one of the many sweets that come off his company’s production lines.

So it is really no wonder that Mr Edwards responded immediately when heard about the plight of Women Involved in Newtown (WIN), and their shortage of candy donations for the group’s Easter Basket program. At this time last week, WIN organizers were facing a serious shortfall in both candy donations and funds to make up the difference with store-bought stock.

“We were worried about how many baskets were expected, and how we would be able to fill all the requests from disadvantaged families throughout the region in time for Easter,” said WIN co-chair Mandy Monaco.

After making an 11th-hour appeal for donations in last week’s issue of The Newtown Bee, Mr Edwards got wind of the dilemma, and did what you might expect any good-hearted candy factory manager to do. He loaded up his vehicle with cases and cases of overrun product and headed to Newtown.

“I couldn’t imagine any child waking up on Easter morning and not having some candy and a nice basket waiting for them,” he said with a smile, as he helped Ms Monaco and WIN co-chair Cyndy DaSilva transfer the hundreds of Peter Paul Hershey Mounds bars and thousands of Hershey Caramel Kisses he brought for the cause.

During his brief but sweet visit to Newtown last Saturday, Mr Edwards also took the time to explain to the WIN representatives about the production processes involved in bringing the donated candies to market. He also included in his delivery several hundred pieces of limited edition dark chocolate and fudge Mounds bars that are only available for about six weeks a year.

“This is only the second year we offered these special dark chocolate Mounds bars,” he said breaking open one of the candies to show the fudge-colored coconut within. “We took a variation on the standard formula to create some excitement and something new on the candy counter.”

According to Mr Edwards, the initial offering of the bars last Easter season resulted in an immediate hit.

“These bars were a complete sellout last year, so we’re giving you enough so every child can have a sample right about the same time they’ll be available in stores,” he said.

As a result of Mr Edwards’ donation, and several others that came in recent days, WIN will have plenty of candy and supplies to ensure more than 255 children in over 100 families will wake up with a basket, candy, and a little toy or stuffed animal on Easter Sunday, Ms DaSilva said.

After providing the local candy man with a couple of appreciative kisses on the cheek to show their appreciation for his kindness, the blushing Mr Edwards confided that it is not often he is in the position to provide such an important donation. He said the production facility typically has minimal waste, so there are not too many overruns to go around.

But coming at the tail end of the Easter production and shipment cycle, he was just a few days away from disposing of a surplus overrun of several lines in the trash when he discovered a much better destination for the candy.

“This is great,” Mr Edwards responded. “Most of these wrappers have a slight production flaw or are not exactly packaged properly. But there’s absolutely no difference in the candy.”

As he bid farewell to the WIN co-chairs after delivering the candy, Mr Edwards confided that opportunities like this are one of the best things about working in the candy business.

I love playing the Easter Bunny,” he said with a wink, “…even if I have a strange accent.”