This Halloween, local dentists are
joining up with a nonprofit company in California to buy back kids’ Halloween candy
and send it to the troops in care packages. Children get $1 for every pound of
candy that sell and can earn up to $3 total (quite a lot for a toddler). Dentists
around the Atlanta area will be collecting candy on Thursday November 1. This
sweet gesture to the troops was started in 2007 by a Wisconsin dentist working with
Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit company that sends care packages to overseas
troops. In the first year of operation alone, 300 dentists around the country
gathered 20,000 pounds of candy. This number has since risen to 250,000 pounds
of candy donated by over 900 dentists. Local dentist, Dr. Danny King at
Children’s Dental Zone, stated that this program not only reminds that troops
that the citizens of the United States recognize and are grateful for our
troops’ hard work, but that it also keeps kids from eating too much candy and
prevents cavities. The program has since expanded to include schools, churches,
and other businesses, and the candy can be exchanged for money, coupons, toys,
or dental products. The fact that local dentists have caught on to the program will
not only help brighten troops’ days away from their families, but it will also
help fight cavity and gum disease in children, a growing concern around the
Halloween time. Kids will also learn the
importance of sacrificing something for the good of others, even if it is just Halloween
candy. By encouraging kids to give up their hard earned candy for the troops
that are keeping them safe, we also teach them the pride and happiness that
comes along with volunteering and helping someone in need. The troops will be
able to feel closer to their families, and the children will learn a valuable
life lesson. Sweet!
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