Sycamore resident Becky Wardlow is in the running for a national contest to win one ton of Halloween candy and a cash prize sponsored by Walgreens and Hershey’s.

As a semi-finalist, Wardlow was awarded a $300 Walgreens gift card to decorate her house for Halloween. If her house is chosen as the best decorated, she will win one ton of Hershey’s candy, which she plans to donate.

“I decided to participate because Halloween has been such a big event in Sycamore for a long time,” Wardlow said. “I thought winning a ton of candy and donating it to various not-for-profits would complement the festivities in Sycamore.”

If she wins, Wardlow plans to donate one half ton of candy to the YMCA Spooky Sports event at NIU Convocation Center, and the rest will be split up between various not-for-profits in the Sycamore/Shabbona area, including the Sycamore Lions Club, Cubs Scouts and Girl Scouts in Sycamore, Feed ‘em Soup Project and Shabbona Fire Department. Along with winning the candy, comes a cash prize for $3,300, according to the contest Facebook page. Wardlow also would like to donate $1,000 to the Feed ‘em Soup Project if declared the winner.

“I felt the candy should be donated to various not-for-profits because who could possible eat that much candy?” Wardlow said. “No seriously, I wanted to donate it because I felt it might ease their budgets or help them raise more money.”

The YMCA is anticipating the event and the possibility of such a generous donation.

“We are thrilled and excited that she would be donating to us if she were to win,” said Debbie Madeley, Kishwaukee YCMA Membership Development and Marketing director. “We would be extremely appreciative, and the candy would definitely be used.”

The public can see Wardlow’s house and other participants on the contest’s Facebook page.

“I hope that people will vote for us because we plan to donate all the candy to local not-for-profits along with part of our cash winnings to the Feed ‘em Soup Project,” Wardlow said. “I am a strong believer in supporting the local community, and by winning, we could share the joy with many not-for-profits in our area.”