Related links
FLORISSANT, MO (KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
Call it Halloween treats going for a higher cause. Dentist offices in St. Louis and around the country are buying back Halloween candy from kids and families to send to troops overseas. Among the St. Louis' offices taking part was Dr. Paul Herrin in Florissant. Herrin's office was busy Monday not only with patients, but also with people wanting to be part of the Halloween candy buy back.
Under the program, kids bring in their trick or treat candy and are paid for it. Herrin's office collected some 170 pounds of candy. The Dunn family from Florissant was among those coming in to give up their candy. The Dunn's two kids, five and eight years old, brought in all of their trick or treat candy-nearly ten pounds worth.
"We just thought it would be really neat to give to the soldiers who are fighting for us," said Vicki Dunn.
Her eight year old son Nick added, "I think like the people in the war would be happy we'd give something to them so that they have something to eat."
It wasn't only kids donating. Adults came in too. Ron Murray has three sons in the Air Force including one in Baghdad.
"It's just a way for me to feel that I'm doing my part for my sons that are in the military," explained Ron.
The buy back program is part of Operation Gratitude, a California based non-profit group dedicated to sending care packages to our troops in combat overseas. The vast majority of the packages are going to Iraq and Afghanistan. Herrin says the program not only helps to prevent cavities in kids, it also helps our military.
Herrin said, "This way we can collect the candy with the kids, give them a little spending money and then send the candy over to our troops overseas."
Murray added, "Regardless of what you think about the war, these are really special men and women that are over there and we got to do everything we can to support them."
More than a thousand dentist offices are taking part nationwide. Herrin's office was offering a dollar for each pound of candy that was donated. They were also offering a free month of YMCA membership for five pounds or more of candy.
If you'd like to donate candy, you can still do so on Tuesday. Dr. Herrin's office is located at 395 Derhake Rd. in Florissant. You can call them at at 314-921-0070.
Under the program, kids bring in their trick or treat candy and are paid for it. Herrin's office collected some 170 pounds of candy. The Dunn family from Florissant was among those coming in to give up their candy. The Dunn's two kids, five and eight years old, brought in all of their trick or treat candy-nearly ten pounds worth.
"We just thought it would be really neat to give to the soldiers who are fighting for us," said Vicki Dunn.
Her eight year old son Nick added, "I think like the people in the war would be happy we'd give something to them so that they have something to eat."
It wasn't only kids donating. Adults came in too. Ron Murray has three sons in the Air Force including one in Baghdad.
"It's just a way for me to feel that I'm doing my part for my sons that are in the military," explained Ron.
The buy back program is part of Operation Gratitude, a California based non-profit group dedicated to sending care packages to our troops in combat overseas. The vast majority of the packages are going to Iraq and Afghanistan. Herrin says the program not only helps to prevent cavities in kids, it also helps our military.
Herrin said, "This way we can collect the candy with the kids, give them a little spending money and then send the candy over to our troops overseas."
Murray added, "Regardless of what you think about the war, these are really special men and women that are over there and we got to do everything we can to support them."
More than a thousand dentist offices are taking part nationwide. Herrin's office was offering a dollar for each pound of candy that was donated. They were also offering a free month of YMCA membership for five pounds or more of candy.
If you'd like to donate candy, you can still do so on Tuesday. Dr. Herrin's office is located at 395 Derhake Rd. in Florissant. You can call them at at 314-921-0070.
