MANVILLE: Candy canes brighten kids’ spirits

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   Manville firemen brought some holiday cheer to residents as they held the first Candy Cane Run on the even of Christmas Eve, Dec. 23.
   All three local fire companies delivered candy canes to the children of Manville, taking different sections of town. Children came outside to get a candy cane when they heard the fire engines coming down their street.
   Capt. John Bentz from Fire Co. No. 1 said that “The Candy Cane Run that the Fire Department held on Dec. 23 was very successful. With not publicizing it too much, with it being put together kind of last minute, I wasn’t sure of the turnout we would get in the neighborhoods but with the story in The Manville News and posting it on the fire department website the turnout was great.”
   Mr. Bentz said a few members of his company asked about doing it so he decided to turn it into a department-wide function and all three fire companies participated, giving out about 700 candy canes.
   ”We had a total of 12 guys participate which I thought was also a great thing for putting this together kind of last minute,” he said.
   All of the candy canes were donated from Company No. 2, because they were left over from it’s Santa Run the weekend before. The candy canes were also donated for the Santa Run event. The volunteer firemen started handing out the candy canes about 6:30 p.m. and finished up about 9:30 p.m.
   Mr. Bentz thought the event was a successful one even for the short amount of notice.
   ”Myself and the other members felt it was a success this year and I think we will definitely do it again in 2011. The only change may be to do it on a Saturday or Sunday this way we can start earlier and stay out longer.
   ”It is a nice tradition that I think we have started and the kids loved seeing the firetrucks coming down the street with the sirens going and getting a chance to see Santa. I would like to thank all the members from the three companies that attended and I look forward to 2011,” he said.