Allyson Hurley wants unopened Halloween candy for the troops
CHATHAM – Local dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley has a soft spot in her heart for the American troops overseas and doesn’t want to see soft spots in her young patients teeth.
That is why she is sponsoring the Halloween Buy Back Candy Program, which has caught on nationwide.
“The troops really need and love our support and children really need healthy teeth,” said Hurley. “We will purchase left over Halloween candy for $1 per pound. It will help the troops and help keep children’s teeth cavity free.”
Her nephew serves in the Army as a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic with the 160th Special Operations Unit and has served multiple times in Iraq, Korea, and Afghanistan.
This Halloween, Hurley would like all Chatham children to donate unopened candy that she will send to the troops.
“In addition to the candy,” she said. “Donations of Chap Stick, sun screen and baby wipes are also greatly appreciated by the troops.”
Hurley has mounted, along with dentists nationwide, the Halloween Buy Back Candy Program at her office in downtown Chatham.
“Kids can still have the fun of trick or treating, receive cash for their candy, as well as get a free toothbrush and coupons from area merchants,” she said.
According to the buy back program Web site, the program is “a growing national movement of dentists who buy or collect Halloween candy from kids and then ship the treats to support our troops overseas.”
Cavities are the most prevalent childhood disease today, according to the buy back program Web site. Each year across the world, kids consume two percent more sugar than the year before. That’s 50 million tons of sugar annually, the Web site claims. Sugar also contributes to hyperactivity and some candies can harm teeth or braces, according to the buy back program.
As responsible dentists, the Web site noted, Halloween Candy Buy Back dentists have found a way to keep the fun in the holiday, while helping kids and our overseas troops.
“Candy can hurt the teeth and waistline, can lead to hyperactivity and the breaking of teeth and orthodontic wires,” Hurley said. “And the prescriptions for insulin and Ritalin for children under 12-years-old have more than doubled since 2004.”
Anyone interested in participating may bring unopened Halloween candy to Hurley’s office, 585 Main Street in Chatham between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday Nov. 1, and between 3 and 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. The candy will be shipped through Operation Gratitude, which donates care packages to the American troops.
On Sunday, the National Guard will be on site at Hurley’s office with an Army vehicle, she said.
“We will have goodie bags with local merchant coupons inside,” Hurley said. “The community is getting involved. The PTO is involved and the Girl Scouts are helping me on Sunday.”
Hurley’s practice emphasizes general family dental care, as well as cosmetic procedures. The program is open to everyone, and is not restricted to Hurley’s patients.
The dentist is also promoting Operation Gratitude.
“I want the men and women over seas to know that we care and appreciate what they are doing for us here,” said Hurley.
Hurley said the items sent to the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan have saved troops lives.
“Who would have guessed that sending a care package through Operation Gratitude to our troops overseas would literally saves lives,” Hurley said. “Carolyn Blashek, founder and head of Operation Gratitude, has received letters thanking her for the gift boxes, but these gifts turned out to save lives.”
Hurley went on to say that soldiers tell stories about sharing candy and Beanie Babies with local children and the children then telling the troops where field mines were placed, where IEDs were placed and where “the bad guys live.”
“This shared kindness saved countless lives,” Hurley said. “Carolyn started this program six years ago to let the troops know that they are remembered and appreciated.”
Hurley would also like to support the troops with a letter writing campaign and suggested people visit the Operation Gratitude Web site, which recommends writing to the troops with an upbeat and positive attitude of gratitude.
For more information, call Hurley’s office at (973) 635-0698 or visit her Web site at www.allysonhurley.com. For information on writing the troops, visit the Operation Gratitude Web site at www.opgratitude.com.