Dentist Buying Back Halloween Candy to Support Troops

Are you anticipating too much candy around the house Wednesday?

This Halloween, parents and children can get rid of some of the excess sugar coming in around the holiday and earn some money in the process, all while giving back to U.S. Military servicemen and women deployed overseas.

Local dentists participating in Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to members of the military, will buy back Halloween candy from residents and ship it in holiday care packages to troops overseas. In return, children receive cash and toothbrushes. According to the program’s website, most dentist’s offices pay $1 per pound of candy.

For 2012, the program has also launched a promotion for donors to give goodie bags with tooth brushes and toothpaste, so service members can stay cavity-free, too.

Operation Gratitude has sent upwards of 800,000 care packages to troops since it was founded in 2003. Last year, the program shipped 125 tons of candy to troops.

In Woodridge, one local orthodontist is listed as participating. You can click here and input your ZIP Code to find a participating dentist near you. Parents are encouraged to call dentist’s offices to confirm participation.

Twin Oaks Orthodontics, 6440 Main St. Ste. 300, is listed as a participant. For more details, call 630-434-8800. 

—William Callahan contributed to this article