Templeton Groups Turn To Sweet Tooths To Help Senior Center

12/15/2015 7:02:00 AM Templeton Groups Turn To Sweet Tooths To Help Senior Center Sugar Rush Fudge and Candy Sale on Friday to serve as a fundraiser

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Tara Vocino Friends of the Templeton Elders President Gail Noel asked, “Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth,” while promoting the Sugar Rush Fudge and Candy Sale at the Templeton Senior Community Center on Friday. Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON –– Everyone has that hard-to-buy-for person on their Christmas list and The Farm at Baptist Common and the Friends of the Templeton Elders are hoping to satisfy that need by sponsoring a Sugar Rush Fudge and Candy Sale on Friday, Dec. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Senior/Community Center at 16 Senior Drive. Money raised will go toward siding, the kitchen or a wheelchair lift. The Friends is a major fundraising source for the Senior Center. According to Friends President Gail Noel, the sale is an opportunity to purchase some last-minute Christmas gifts exactly one week before Christmas for that hard-to-buy-for person. “People can buy stocking stuffers at excellent prices,” Ms. Noel said. Fudge will cost $6.50 for half of a pound and about $13 for a pound. Featured flavors include: chocolate, chocolate walnut, penuche walnut, peanut butter and chocolate peanut butter. The Farm at Baptist Common co-owner John Brooks said he makes 45 varieties, and 15 will be available on Friday. The fudge’s packaging will read, ‘Seasons Greetings’ with Christmas bulbs on it. He will donate half of his profits toward the Senior Center’s renovations. “Seniors are an important part of our community,” Mr. Brooks said. “I wish them well. I’m very eager for Friday.” Ms. Noel said some fudge will come in flower angel decorated candy boxes. Truffles and chocolate covered peanuts will also be available for purchase. She said the proceeds will be used in the general fund to furnish appliances in the Senior Center’s kitchen, which is now an empty room; to help put on green, exterior siding and to help build a wheelchair lift. “We’ve waited 13 years to have this building completed,” Ms. Noel said. “It’s still not complete. We’d like to help them with the things they need to operate and finish.” Ms. Noel said Templeton has a large senior population – about 25 to 30 percent. “If people can help us by buying Christmas presents for themselves and for their friends, we can help them,” she said. “Adults could buy candy for that special someone, or children could buy fudge for their favorite aunt, uncle, or grandma. Hand-chosen gifts always mean more.” She said fudge and candy is the universal gift. “Who doesn’t like chocolate and fudge,” she asked. Mr. Brooks said fudge and candy is loved by everyone and he said it’s an excellent personal, corporate or fundraising gift. He said sugar-free chocolate will be available for diabetics, but he expects that most will sneak in a piece or two of the traditional fudge. “Most want a little piece of the real thing,” Mr. Brooks said. “Since a lot of my fudge is made from fresh fruit, I can’t control the amount of sugar derived in fresh fruit. That’s why it’s a limited menu for sugar free.” Ms. Noel plans to bake a batch or lemon or root beer fudge. She said that others will volunteer to bake, too. Other events that the Friends have lined up are a potluck lunch in January; a Valentine’s Day dance in February and a cakeless bake sale in March.