Tasty fundraiser helps local vets

SANDPOINT — Freedom is sweet.

That is the message imprinted on each handmade chocolate bar, and Valentine’s Day will be pretty sweet for the local veterans who benefit from the upcoming candy sale.

First American Title Company is joining several businesses around town that will be selling the special chocolate bars starting on Monday. Marcia Phillips, business development professional with First American Title, said they wanted to partner with the VFW to help raise money for local veterans.

“We learned we could help selling these candy bars,” she said.

The tasty fundraiser is a partnership between the businesses, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2453 and Trust Vets, a group that unites business professionals and entrepreneurs who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It is also a partnership with Sandpoint Chocolate Bear, where each of the bars are handmade, imprinted with the patriotic message surrounded by stars.

All of the proceeds go to the VFW to support veterans in need, Phillips said.

The candy can be purchased for $3 each from participating businesses, but First American Title is stepping it up this year.

“We are adding to our participation a candygram,” Phillips said. “One of our employees here loves to do that kind of thing.”

The employee is escrow assistant Tanya Anderson. Anderson, dressed as one of the Andrews Sisters in an Army uniform, will deliver a song and chocolate to a valentine on Valentine’s Day. The Andrews Sisters were a close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras.

“In honor of veterans is why I chose the uniform,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she chose a World War II-era theme because it harkens back to a time when the country was largely unified in its support of troops fighting abroad. She said she will also use a typewriter to write candygrams to keep within the era.

“It’s nice to be able to give back,” Anderson said. “The biggest message here is offering support.”

Candygrams are $10 and a reservation must be made with Anderson in advance by email at tjanderson@gofirstam.com , or call 208-263-6833, ext. 223.

The candy bars can be purchased for $3 each at First American Title, 419 Second Ave., Sandpoint, or at any of the following locations:

- Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St., Sandpoint

- Chocolate Bear, 204 N First Ave., Sandpoint

- Route 66, 1220 Baldy Mountain Rd., Sandpoint

- UPS Store, 217 Cedar St., Sandpoint

- Sears, 300 Bonner Mall Way, Ponderay

- Burl Wood Dreams, 201 N. First Ave., Sandpoint

Phillips said First American Title has chosen to focus on assisting and supporting efforts to benefit local veterans with an active partnership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

On Wednesday, representatives from First American Title stopped by the Life Care Center of Sandpoint to make a donation in support of the center’s veterans memorabilia display room.

First American Title is “pleased” to work with Rich Faletto, the local representative of Trust Vets, in their mission to support veterans.

“Our partnership is one in which we both look forward to helping our local veterans and reminding them that we appreciate their service and sacrifice for our country,” Phillips said.

News editor Keith Kinnaird contributed to this report.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter@MaryDailyBee.