Donate Halloween Candy for the Troops.  The DSU is sponsoring a Halloween candy giveback event for one day only, this Thursday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Duxbury Student Union. Bring your unopened leftover Halloween candy to DSU and receive a gift from Duxbury Children’s Dentistry.  All Duxbury residents are encouraged to participate.  Letters, cards, and children’s artwork is encouraged as well. Candy donations, art and letters collected will go to Cape Cod Cares for our troops where the items will be packaged and sent to soldiers serving overseas.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6 and the kids have a day off.  Join us for a day of camp where we’ll have an election DSU style.  Ca.m.p is open to Chandler, Alden and DMS students. Drop off at 9 a.m. and stay until 3 p.m. Available until 5 p.m. based on demand. To sign up, send an email to rsvp@duxburystudentunion.com.

Evening Community Reception Nov. 7.  The DSU mission is to bring big world opportunities to Duxbury youth. Please join us for an evening open house and reception to learn how DSU is changing the landscape of opportunity for youth and families here in Duxbury. Learn about our mission based initiatives like outdoor recess for middle school students, brownie bake-off and cereal tower challenges for the Duxbury Interfaith Council; learn how we inspire, mentor, and connect middle and high school students to opportunities to give beyond themselves. Learn how we are grooming our young people from kindergarten up to understand they each have a voice, they can do great things with simple acts of kindness, and they can become involved and caring citizens. Stop-in for refreshments, introduce your self and meet our energetic team.

Razia’s Ray of Hope: “The Power of 10.”  All residents are invited to attend a very special evening at DSU to learn more about Razia Jan’s efforts to provide education to girls in Afghanistan and find out how the Power of Ten can help Razia win CNN Hero of the Year. On Friday evening, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m., come and hear Jan’s story through testimonies, pictures, and conversation.  Find out how it feels to wear a burka and learn about the real dangers and challenges Afghan girls face everyday.  This event is free and open to the public, suitable for all ages. Jan’s story is an inspiration to all and shows how one person’s passion and tenacity can make a difference to so many.  Use the “Power of Ten” to make our Top Ten Hero number one! Vote up to 10 times a day per email address at heroes.cnn.com and invite 10 friends to join you in voting for Razia Jan.

Jonathan Woods, Speaker: Youth Can Make a Difference by Starting Small and Thinking Big.  On Friday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m., DSU welcomes Jonathan Woods, young philanthropist and founder of the Under the Tree Foundation.  Jonathan will share how he came up with his idea to fulfill holiday wish lists for underprivileged teens when he was in middle school.  Now in its sixth year, the Under the Tree Foundation makes the holidays a bit brighter for a group of teens at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester.  Jonathan’s is an inspiring story of how one person can make a significant impact on the lives of others by starting small and thinking big. Community youth, families, and residents of all ages are encouraged to attend to listen to Jonathan’s story and brainstorm how we as individuals can make a difference when we put our minds to it.  Jonathan is a Duxbury resident in his senior year at Tabor Academy in Marion.  To learn more go to underthetreefoundation.org.

For information about all of these events and more, consult the Web site, duxburystudentunion.com.