![Soroptimist-Halloween](/sierrasuntimes/images/2014/september/Soroptimist-Halloween.jpg)
(Pictured l-r): Last year’s Bullion Street Trick-or-Treaters Davis Bryant, Madeleine Coder, Kelsea Coder, and Annie Bryant
As the residents of Jones and Bullion Street prepare for this year’s trick-or-treaters, Soroptimist International of Mariposa is working to help those neighborhoods weather the economic costs of the holiday. For the first time, the Soroptimist Candy Drive is looking for donations to help Jones and Bullion Street residents meet the needs of the hundreds of children that make their way along those streets on Halloween night.
A popular destination for many in the area, Jones and Bullion Street is seen by many parents as a safe alternative for their children, leaving the trick-or-treating responsibilities to the residents of those houses. Once children begin to fill the streets on Halloween night, the Mariposa County Sheriff closes off the area to vehicular traffic.
Soroptimist hopes to gather enough candy and donations to provide five to six bags of candy to each home, offering much needed assistance and support to the street's homeowners.
Soroptimist is asking the community to donate unopened candy bags containing individually wrapped candy. Donations can be dropped off at Pioneer Market, Starchman & Bryant Law Offices, Happy Burger Diner, and the Mariposa Gazette. Even if someone doesn't have the time to buy candy themselves, Soroptimist has set up a donation jar at Happy Burger Diner and Starchman & Bryant Law Offices, where individuals, or businesses that would like to contribute, can donate money to the cause, and then candy and treats will be purchased on their behalf.
With Halloween just around the corner, there isn't much time left to get those donations in. Organizers would like all donations to be dropped off by Monday, October 27, 2014 so that there is time for the candy to be delivered and distributed prior to Friday night's festivities.
Soroptimist asks that if there are other residents not on Bullion and Jones who may also require assistance this Halloween holiday, to please contact Soroptimist International of Mariposa President Dianne Fritz at (209) 769-1451. For more information about this event or Soroptimist call President Dianne Fritz, visit us on-line at: http://simariposa.org or find us on Facebook.
Contributed by Anita Starchman Bryant
![Soroptimist-Candy-Drive](/sierrasuntimes/images/2014/september/Soroptimist-Candy-Drive.jpg)