Takoma Park Children Donate Halloween Candy To Benefit Overseas Troops

TAKOMA PARK, MD — Children in Takoma Park can donate Halloween candy to U.S. service members stationed overseas when they bring extra candy to any area Kool Smiles dental offices from Saturday, Oct. 28 to Saturday, Nov. 4.

Kool Smiles, a leading provider of quality dental care for children and families in the D.C. region, is coordinating the sixth year of "Operation Troop Treats." When children bring 25 pieces of unopened candy to a Kool Smiles office, they will be rewarded with a toy. The candy will then be sent in a care package to U.S. troops overseas via Operation Gratitude.

Children donated more than four tons of candy through the "Operation Troop Treats" program in 2016. Along with candy, Kool Smiles is donating 200 dental kits for deployed U.S. troops, as well as the funds to cover the assembly and shipment of 200 Operation Gratitude care packages.

The American Dental Association recommends that children by the age of one should see a dentist. However, there are many people who can't afford it or whose healthcare doesn't include dental work. Kool Smiles — a network of local dental offices — was founded in 2002 to fix this problem. They believe that every family has the right to quality dental care in a clean and safe environment.

Kool Smiles offices in and around the D.C. area include:

• Kool Smiles Takoma Park – 1147 University Blvd. E., Takoma Park, MD, 20912, Ph: 301-830-5150
• Kool Smiles District Heights – 6471 Marlboro Pike, District Heights, MD, 20747, Ph: 301-568-2029
• Kool Smiles Washington, DC – 1531 Maryland Ave., Washington, DC, 20002, Ph: 202-470-1126
• Kool Smiles Falls Church – 6537 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA, 22042, Ph: 703-536-2661

For more information on Operation Troop Treats, including the nearest participating Kool Smiles office, visit www.mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats.

Photos: Kool Smiles