By Alaina Denean 

The Selma Times-Journal

 

With the holiday season quickly approaching, many families are going to be thinking about their loved ones overseas, but they are not the only ones wanting to treat the soldiers.

Back again for the third year, the Annual Halloween Candy Buyback program, hosted by Wood Orthodontics and Children’s Dentistry, is gearing up for a tasty fundraiser.

“This is just a good time to let the kids give away unwanted candy, and then it goes to a good cause to the troops overseas,” said Blair Adams, an orthodontic assistant and treatment coordinator for Wood Orthodontics. “The kids, they get to write a letter thanking the troops for all they do, and in return [for the candy], the kids get paid.”

Adams said the idea came from an online program called Operation Gratitude, where individuals and organizations can send care packages to troops overseas.

Wood Orthodontics got involved with the care package program in 2012, and Children’s Dentistry later joined in 2013.

“After Halloween, we collect candy here at the office,” Adams said. “We buy candy back from our patients from the ages of two to 14.”

The children are able to drop off candy at either Wood Orthodontics or Children’s Dentistry.

In return, they will be rewarded with a monetary gift.

“We pay them a dollar per pound, on the first five pounds of candy donated,” Adams said.

The kids will also be competing for a $500 prize for the PTA program at the school donating the most candy. The classroom that collects the most candy, will receive a pizza and ice cream party sponsored by Papa Johns and Sweet Advantages.

In addition to the candy and hand-written letters that the troops will receive, they will also be provided a dental care package.

Adams said they are encouraging schools to get involved and participate in a program that can put a smile on the faces of the children and the troops.

“We just needed to get more kids drawn in, get more schools involved, [and[ overall get the whole city involved for a good cause,” Adams said.

Children can drop off candy at Wood Orthodontics Nov. 3 to  5 from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.. They can also drop it off  at Children’s Dentistry Nov. 3  to 6. From 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.