Williston Park Dentist Set to Ship Candy Overseas

With families just having celebrated Thanksgiving, one dentist from Williston Park is giving thanks by providing something he normally wouldn't recommend kids to eat too much of — candy! Dr. Edward Gottlieb of Mid-Nassau Dental on Hillside Avenue plans on shipping boxes of sweets overseas to the troops through the program Operation Gratitude.

Gottlieb started a candy buy-back program after last Halloween when he offered to buy the candy from neighborhood children and then send it to Operation Gratitude.

So many children from the Williston Park and Mineola areas came with their candy that Gottlieb decided to continue the program this year, once again collecting mounds of candy, which his assistants packed in boxes to ship.

For the Williston Park dentist, the program serves as a reminder to give thanks to those serving in the Armed Forces overseas and candy is maybe a little treat they can have when spending days in what can be harsh conditions. 

Operation Gratitude is a program that seeks to boost the morale of the troops by sending care packages. 

Trying to help the troops is something that is dear to Gottlieb after having witnessed first hand the horror of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack. In the days that followed, Gottlieb used his dental expertise to volunteer for the New York City Medical Examiner's Office in identifying victims using dental records. 

The candy buy back program is a way to show support for the troops and keep those cavities away.