Trevor Zankl, a third-grader at Gulf Stream School, got friends and classmates to donate Halloween candy to be sent to U.S. troops overseas. Photo provided
By Amy Woods
More than 130 pounds of Nerds, Reese’s, Skittles and Starburst are on their way to U.S. military members around the world. So are bags of Bazooka bubble gum, containers of Tic Tac mints and tasty Tootsie Roll twists.
The substantial stash of sweets started rolling in to the hands — but not the mouth — of Gulf Stream School third-grader Trevor Zankl during Halloween. The 9-year-old coordinated a candy-collection drive to benefit Operation Gratitude, a volunteer organization that sends treats to the troops every year.
“I think the candy might taste a little better than the food they have over there,” Trevor said.
He got the idea from his dentist, Dr. Maria Castaneda of Boca Delray Pediatric Dentistry, an Operation Gratitude volunteer. He then sought permission at school to ask his classmates whether they would donate their Halloween bounties.
“I’m very thankful for my teacher because she said yes,” Trevor said. “I actually have 133 pounds of candy.”
He didn’t part with the personal pile of goodies he earned circling his Delray Beach neighborhood dressed up as a boxer.
“I kept my favorites, which is [Nestle] Crunch, M&M’s and [Hershey’s] chocolate,” Trevor said.
Mother Kristen Zankl said the response to the effort was more than either of them expected.
“Right off the bat, he came home with 47 pounds,” Zankl said.
On day two, Trevor collected 27 pounds. Day three saw 16 pounds. He and his mother made five trips to the dentist’s office to drop it all off.
He wants to do it again next year.
“Trevor’s such a thoughtful person,” Kristen Zankl said. “He understands the sacrifices that the people in the military make.”
Grandmother Linda Bokinsky said Trevor’s determination to help others should be celebrated.
“We always hear the bad things kids do,” Bokinsky said. “We never hear the good.”
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