Candy for a Cause

Asking candy from children is usually frowned upon, but teaching kids the value of giving back by donating their excess Halloween candy in support of U.S. Troops and First Responders is a win-win for kids, parents, and dentists alike.

This Halloween, local trick-or-treaters will join kids across the nation when they bring their Halloween candy to Dr. Thomas Dudney. The goodies will be shipped to Operation Gratitude for inclusion in Care Packages to U.S. Service Members deployed overseas and to First Responders serving here at home. All participants donating candy will receive a goody bag from Dr. Dudney and will go into a drawing to win Movie Passes. Candy and handwritten letters or drawings to Service Members will be collected at Dr. Dudney’s dental office located at 122 7th Avenue NE in Alabaster on November 1 and 2 from 8am-4pm.

Dr. Dudney is proud to participate in the Operation Gratitude Halloween GIVE-Back Program to reduce excess sugar consumption, prevent dental decay, and teach children the importance of saying “Thank You” to all who serve. Americans spend an estimated $2.5 billion dollars on a whopping 600 million pounds of Halloween Candy each year. In 2016 alone, 533,891 pounds of that candy was sent to Operation Gratitude for distribution through its Care PackagePrograms. Dr. Dudney says “Together, let’s break the record this year! This is a great way to support our troops and receive fewer cavities.”

"Operation Gratitude has shipped more than 1.9 Million Care Packages that include items such as DVDs, handmade scarves and hygiene products. Halloween candy is a wonderful addition to these packages," says Operation Gratitude's founder, Carolyn Blashek. “The candy is a great morale boost for the troops, and a means to create positive interaction with local children.Equally important is that the Halloween Candy GIVE-Back Program provides every Americanchild the opportunity to learn about service, sacrifice and generosity.”

Dr. Thomas Dudney is one of the most outstanding smile designers in the world. His attention to detail and his eye for natural beauty are what separates him from most elite of cosmetic dentists. Since 1982, Dr Dudney has a patient-center private practice in Alabaster as a family dentist with focus on aesthetic and restorative dentistry. Dr Dudney teaches hands on programs and has presented workshops and lectures at dental meetings and conferences around the world. In addition, he has authored several articles on aesthetic and restorative dentistry.