EDMOND — When Donovan Hardin was young he was a Camp Fire member for three years selling candy to whomever would buy it.

Now that he is an adult, he is serving his country as a Marine and looking forward to eating Camp Fire candy being sent to the troops.

Guthrie resident Keri Rosebrook-Weuste, director of public relations and sales for Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council, was his Camp Fire leader in the Guthrie Starflight Club.

“While stationed in Iraq, Donovan received Camp Fire Candy from his younger sister’s club in Guthrie,” Weuste said.

His parents, Don and LaMoyne Hardin, had three sons all serving at the same time in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

“We are so thankful that they all got home safely, and we were happy that while they were there, they all got Camp Fire Candy,” Weuste said.

“In Camp Fire USA we say we build caring, confident youth and future leaders, and it really hits home when you see your little Camp Fire kids grow up to serve their country and be such outstanding citizens. I would encourage anyone and everyone to purchase Camp Fire candy for themselves and for a soldier.”

Local residents’ contributions will make life a little sweeter for military personnel when you purchase Camp Fire Candy that is on sale now through Feb. 18.

Varieties of candy available are Caramel Almond Clusters, Creamy Smooth Mint Patties, Almond Roca Buttercrunch and Camper Mix, with each box costing $5.

The 2008 Camp Fire Candy Sale marks the sixth year that the Heart of Oklahoma Council, a member of the United Way, has partnered with the USO at Fort Hood, Texas, to send Camp Fire candy to U.S. troops overseas.

“Fort Hood is one of the largest points of deployment for many branches of the armed forces, and they provide valuable services to these military men and women, including care packages that they receive before they go overseas, and while they are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Rosebrook-Weuste said.

All candy is collected at the council office and shipped to Fort Hood at the end of the sale. The Brown and Haley Candy Company donates the cost of shipping the candy to the soldiers.

“Last year, the Fort Hood USO was thrilled to receive 2,310 boxes of Camp Fire USA candy from the Heart of Oklahoma Council,” said Robin Crouse, USO director.

This year, the council is offering the public the opportunity to pre-order candy specifically for the troops.

Individuals who purchase candy to be donated to the troops may do so now by calling the council office and placing their order, or by purchasing candy from a Camp Fire USA boy or girl and telling them it is for the “Support the Troops” project.

“This show of support for the troops is an important taste of home to many of our young men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world,” Rosebrook-Weuste said.

Gift cards are available to be put on the candy boxes with the customer’s name, and thank you letters are available for tax purposes.

For more information on how to purchase Camp Fire USA candy for the troops or for yourself as a way of supporting the community’s youth, call 478-5646.



pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171



The Details

What you need to know

Once known as Camp Fire Girls, Camp Fire USA became a co-ed organization in the mid-70’s and the name was officially changed to Camp Fire, Inc. in 1979. Later there was a transition to Camp Fire Boys and Girls, and in 2001, the organization changed the branding to Camp Fire USA.



Camp Fire Standouts

Samantha Valuikas, a home-schooled Edmond fifth-grader, used creativity to sell her Campfire Candy. She sent out e-mails to friends and family members asking them to purchase candy by the case to be donated to the troops.

She even offered a ‘prize’ to the person who bought the most from her.

She said she wanted to get second place in candy sales because the prize was an iPod. The first place prize was a Wii and she already had one.

“It is so special to be able to send Camp Fire candy to our troops serving overseas, but it was extra special last year, when some of the candy we shipped was received by someone we knew,” said Guthrie resident Keri Rosebrook-Weuste, director of public relations and sales for Camp Fire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council

Samantha’s parents are Tony and Regina Valuikas.



Hayden and Landen Hirzel and Adam Deter, all of Guthrie, are pictured on one of the Campfire Candy boxes this year.

Hayden and Landen’s parents are Kelly and Jason Hirzel and Adam’s mother is Martha Deter.

“Last year my husband and I volunteered to be club leaders for our oldest son, Hayden’s Pre-K Camp Fire Club. We have had so much fun the past year and made wonderful friendships with the families in our club,” their mom, Kelly Hirzel said. “We are so excited about selling candy this year that has our boys’ picture on it.”



Justin Ingle of Guthrie is featured on the Almond Roca Buttercrunch candy box in a “funnoe” at Camp DaKaNi.

Justin’s parents are Patrick and Lisa Ingle.

This year a portion of the sale of every box will go to Camp DaKaNi Day Camp Improvements and the Camp Cimarron Resident Camp Re-Building Fund.

“Many children like to sell candy to earn their way to camp each summer,” Weuste said.