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With another year of trick-or-treating over, Airdrie residents may be wondering what to do with their leftover candy. A local organization is eager to take it off your hands and out of your candy bowls—all for a good cause.
The Happy Birthday Project, a Calgary-based charity, collects extra Halloween treats to create birthday gift bags for children and mothers in crises. These bags are delivered to families experiencing hardship, including those in foster care or shelters.
Allyson Palaschuk, a representative from The Happy Birthday Project, explained, "We collect unwanted Halloween candy from families who want to cut down on sweets or share goodies with others who may not have any."
Airdrie is part of this heartwarming initiative. Volunteers across the city organize drop-off locations on their porches, making it convenient for residents to donate without travelling to Calgary. Households in Airdrie can connect with collection sites through the NICU Family Care Team, which partners with the charity.
The candy serves various purposes, including filling loot bags and piñatas and sometimes being sprinkled into bags for mothers in emergency shelters.
"All of the donations we get after Halloween sustain this part of our program for the next year," Palaschuk emphasized. "This allows us to use our funds for the gifts kids really need, rather than spending on snacks."
Thanks to community support, The Happy Birthday Project has provided more than 1,000 birthday bags each year since launching nine years ago.
"Sometimes it’s simple celebrations that matter most. Whether it’s a low-income family or a tragic situation, that one special day can mean so much," Palaschuk shared.
The organization receives thank-you notes, photos, and heartfelt messages from grateful families, reinforcing the impact these small acts of kindness have on children’s lives. For Airdrie residents looking to participate, The Happy Birthday Project asks only for this year’s candy in good condition.
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