Dentistry Office Buys Back 500 Pounds of Halloween Candy

A local dentistry business has bought back nearly 500 pounds of Halloween candy to send to active-duty military personnel as part of "Operation Gratitude," an organization that mails care packages to deployed troops.

ProSmile Dentistry in Foothill Ranch pledged to repurchase up to 500 pounds at $1 per pound, and netted a total of 498 pounds in its first year of participation. The business collected donations for a week, beginning on Halloween and concluding a week later on Nov. 7.

Local schools pitched in, with students at Trabuco Mesa Elementary School in Rancho Santa Margarita donating 190 pounds and students from Mission Viejo Christian School bringing in 162 pounds.

Individual donations arrived from close to home and further afield, including towns such as Tustin and Norco, according to ProSmile's Dr. Parisa Zarbafian.

"We'd like to extend a great big thank you to all of the kids and parents
who participated, as well as the school volunteers who helped with the
collection and transport of loads of candy," Zarbafian said.

In addition to the candy, the office will also be sending the troops
toothbrushes, donated by Patterson Dental, she added.

For more information about the Halloween candy buy-back program, visit halloweencandybuyback.com.