A dentist in the Park City area is collecting Halloween candy to distribute to American troops who are stationed overseas. Officials at Park City Dental Spa will be buying Halloween candy from families for $1 per pound.
Kids should bring the candy they receive trick-or-treating to the Park City Dental Spa on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m.
“By donating their candy to this patriotic cause, children can learn about service and giving back, and also cut down on gorging themselves with Halloween candy,” dentist Jim Abraham said in a prepared statement. “Each year more and more children are becoming obese. In fact, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, 15 percent of children ages six to 18 are overweight. A simple step like reducing sugar intake is an easy way to help curb the obesity epidemic.”
The troops will “share the candy with members of their unit to brighten their day, but it can also be an effective combat tool to win the hearts and minds of the local population, which in turn can lead to saving many lives,” according to Abraham.
“When the troops share the candy with children and families in and around the villages in which they are patrolling, the locals often provide intelligence about the insurgents, improvised explosive devices and other dangers,” Abraham said.
Abraham said he will send the candy he collects to Operation Gratitude in Van Nuys, Calif.
“They will make holiday packages for our troops and ship them overseas to our soldiers stationed in war zones,” Abraham said.
Members of the Student Council at Park City High School will help collect Halloween candy on Monday.
“They asked us as the Student Council to help get the word out All of the schools are in on it,” Student Council Communication Officer Morgan Mitchell said. “As a Student Council, we want to be involved because we want to make the community better.”
The Park City Dental Spa is located at 1526 Ute Boulevard suite 212. The phone number is 435-615-8500.