Yorktown Dentist Sends Candy to the Troops Overseas

For four years, the dentist offices of Valley Pediatric Dentistry, with locations in Jefferson Valley and Hopewell Junction, have been collecting candy the day after Halloween for a good cause.

Dr. Benjamin Dancygier and Dr. Jennifer Blair are not only doing this to promote healthy choices for the kids, both physical and dental, but to provide holiday packages to the troops overseas.

Through "Operation Support Our Troops," a non-profit organization that sends gift packages to service men and women deployed overseas, the dentists are collecting candy until Tuesday, Nov. 8. The bags of candy will first be brought to West Point and then sent to the troops.  

The Halloween Candy Buy-Back program is part of Valley Pediatric Dentistry’s commitment to encourage good nutritional habits. The office weighs each child’s candy and offers to pay them $1 per pound – however, many people decide to simply donate it.

Ashley Kovacs, office manager at the Yorktown location, said over the years there has been an increase in the number of donations they have received. Last year, the office collected more than 2,000 pounds of Halloween candy from trick-or-treaters.

Yorktown's Valley Pediatric Dentistry also celebrated its 10 year anniversary last week. The office celebrated with its patients – complete with costumes, decorations, cake, contests and raffles, and xylitol lollipop giveaways. Children were also treated to professional face painting and balloon creations.

The candy buy-back program, benefiting "Operation Support Our Troops" ends on Nov. 8.