Leftover Halloween candy can earn trick-or-treaters more than a tasty snack. It can earn them cash, a party and chance to help the U.S. service personnel overseas.

As a part of the 2nd annual Halloween Candy Buyback program, sponsored by Wood Orthodontics and Children’s Dentistry of Central Alabama, children can earn cash for their unused, unbitten, individually wrapped left over Halloween candy. Open to children from 2 to 14-years-old, participants will receive $1 and one goodie bag per pound of candy. Children can donate up to five pounds of candy.

“It’s more than just buying back,” Dr. James Osborn, with Children’s Dentistry of Central Alabama, said. “It’s about education on oral health care.”

Wood Orthodontics will package each pound of candy along with a toothbrush and send it to the troops overseas through Operation Gratitude.

The program is also meant to benefit the local schools and help reduce the tooth decay among the children.

Wood Orthodontics, located at 429 Church St., will collect candy Friday, Nov. 1 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Each child’s school and classroom will be recorded. Thanks to sponsors Papa Johns and Sweet Advantages, classrooms that donate the most candy will receive a pizza and ice cream party. The school that donates the most will receive a $500 check, which will go to the school’s parent-teacher organization.

“It gives the schools a chance to give us unwanted candy,” Blair Adams, the treatment coordinator of Wood Orthodontics, said.

For more information, call Wood Orthodontics at 874-6627.