Halloween Candy Exchange by U.S. Dental Provider Generates More Than Four Tons of Donated Candy

Posted: December 6, 2016
Edited by Dentaltown staff
 
ATLANTA—Kool Smiles, a provider of dental care in underserved communities nationwide, announced that a record-breaking 8,651 pounds—more than four tons—of candy was collected during its fifth annual Operation Troop Treats.

The program offered children the chance to exchange their Halloween candy for a toy at participating Kool Smiles offices nationwide. In collaboration with Operation Gratitude, the donated candy will be sent in care packages to U.S. troops abroad, delivering smiles to thousands of American heroes.
 
“This year’s Operation Troop Treats was our biggest and best one yet,” said Dr. Dale Mayfield, chief dental officer for Kool Smiles. "It’s heartwarming to see so many children and families in our communities giving up their Halloween candy for a good cause. We’re excited to help promote good dental health habits here at home while bringing smiles to American service members deployed overseas.”
 
The Kool Smiles family includes many veterans, in addition to active duty servicemen and women. Delivering quality care to military families is important to the children’s dental provider, which accepts Tricare dental insurance for military members and has several dental offices located near military bases. Operation Troop Treats is a small way for Kool Smiles to help share a smile with those who serve our nation each day. 
 
In 2015, kids donated three tons of candy for the troops at Kool Smiles offices nationwide. This year’s collection exceeded that amount by more than 2,000 pounds. 
 
In addition to the candy exchange program, Kool Smiles is donating dental kits to Operation Gratitude, as well as the funds to cover the assembly and shipment of 200 Operation Gratitude care packages.
 
Since launching the Operation Troop Treats program in 2012, Kool Smiles has collected more than 12 tons of donated candy and sent 1,000 care packages to U.S. troops deployed overseas.
 
Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization that annually produces over 200,000 care packages for U.S. Service Members deployed in harm's way. Since 2007, Operation Gratitude, through the Halloween Candy Buy-Back initiative, has encouraged dentists to collect Halloween candy from their patients for donation to the troops. The Kool Smiles program is the largest Candy Buy-Back effort by a dental organization participating on a national level.
 
Operation Troop Treats is made possible by a generous donation from the Benevis Foundation.
 
For more information on the program, visit mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats
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