Battle of Richmond to begin Lifesaver collection campaign

Sierra Marling, Richmond Register, Ky.
·2 min read

Feb. 26—The Battle of Richmond Association is working to send a little piece of home to American troops overseas with its "Be a Battle of Richmond Lifesaver" campaign.

This endeavor began three years ago, according to Battle of Richmond Curator Phillip Seyfrit, when he was brainstorming in a snow storm.

The curator recounted how their project partner, Military Missions, needed candy for troops.

"They're a little particular on candy," he said. "They don't want chocolate, because if it goes in the box and it goes somewhere it could melt easily."

He said the idea for Lifesavers candy hit him because "everybody knows what Lifesavers are."

He remarked that the campaign has a humble purpose and serves as a "simple" way for people to show their appreciation to American troops.

"One thing this does is this sends a little bit of home all to our American troops all over the world," Seyfrit remarked.

He likened the project to a the relatable experience of sitting in church or school as a young child, getting discouraged, and receiving a Lifesavers candy to suck on from your grandmother.

"It's the same thing when somebody is in the Middle East or Europe or Japan or someplace," the curator said. "It's just us showing that we still care about them. We're right there behind them, even if it's just a Lifesaver."

In the three years of this campaign, the Battle of Richmond has collected nearly 200,000 Lifesavers hard candies to be included in care packages for military personnel during the months of March and April.

This year's campaign will begin on March 1 and continue through April 30.

Anyone wishing to contribute may bring bags of individually wrapped Lifesavers to the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center. From there, staff will deliver them to Military Missions.

"All flavors of Lifesavers are needed, but please only individually wrapped candies, not the classic roll packaged type," Seyfrit noted. "The rolled kind stick together when they got warm."

Those wishing to contribute may drop off bags of individually wrapped Lifesavers hard candies to the Battle of Richmond Visitors Center located at 101 Battlefield Memorial Highway (split of US 25 and 421), Richmond, on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

After hours contributions may also be left on one of the benches on the front porch.

For more information, please call 859-624-0013 during normal business hours.