Now that  our Halloween Candy Buy Back is over, we have been hearing great stories about how much fun the event was and how much candy was collected!  Our office collected 600+ pounds of candy from 177 kids!  We had a steady line of kids and their parents for the whole time we accepted candy, plus a few early and late donations.  Our biggest challenge was moving the surplus candy from the main collection area to somewhere out of the way.  Also, we had too few goody bags to pass out!  Next year we'll overplan for giveaway items.  Here are a few of our pictures:  

 We'd like to know how much candy you collected and how many kids donated.  A lot of you have told us that you got great press coverage out of the day, and we couldn't be more thrilled for you.  If you haven't shared your story with us yet, please do so!  

 Dave Jones from Muskogee, OK, wrote, "Thanks Chris! We had a surprise visit from a Channel 6 News crew yesterday before noon.  As luck would have it we had two early contributors that really worked out great.  It aired on the 5 O'clock news and then we started getting calls to stay late. Here's the video clip, oh, this one's for you Chris, the next go-around I take all the credit!:)) http://www.kotv.com/e-clips/news/?id=9716  This may have been the most rewarding day of my life, well dental speaking. . . we heard soooooooooo many heart warming stories and were thanked and thanked for doing this project.  One mother wouldn't let her daughter go trick or treating because she didn't believe in it but her daughter convinced her that it was for a good cause and she would give ALL of her candy to the troops.  Wow, I'm blown away!!!!  Did I mention that we collected over 450 lbs of candy?  I just received a call at home from someone who still wants to donate.  Thanks again Chris for sharing this with us!"   

 Steve Markus in Hadden Heights, NJ, wrote, "This was the best reporting ever, http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=5738303"  

 Terri from Henry Windle's office in Beaver, PA, wrote, "just wanted to let you know we had great success with our candy buy back.  500 plus pounds of candy!!!  we had many people not accept the cash, just asked us to use it towards mailing the candy.  we have been the talk of the town!  i will send you photos and the follow up newspaper coverage from our local paper.  our staff and family members had so much fun with the event, too.  thanks for all your input to make this event a success" 

 Beth Keen from Murfreesboro, TN, wrote, "This story is after the event. It really was a lot of fun!  http://murfreesboropost.com/news.php?viewStory=7420"  

 With all the candy that you're sending to troops, you'd be a real hero for including some toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss too!  Some dental offices had kids sign a card or write their own cards to send with the candy.  Make sure to send a letter from you and your staff as well to let the troops know where the candy came from.  Pictures of the event also make a great addition.

 A few of you have asked where you can send the candy to get it to the troops.  Operation Gratitude (www.opgratitude.com) will ship your candy to troops overseas.  Carolyn Blashek from Operation Gratitude invites us to watch this video of grateful soldiers opening their care packages.  She said, "I think this has been the best promotion we've ever done!  I cannot thank you enough--we are all so thrilled about this!"  Please send your candy by December 15 to: 

If you are interested in making a financial donation, please send checks (made out to Operation Gratitude) separately from the candy (with a note referencing the candy) to:   

Operation Gratitude
16444 Refugio Road
Encino, CA 91436

Thanks for helping make this national effort so successful!    

Chris