San Jose, CA Orthodontist Collects 485 lbs of Treats For Troops

Again this year, Braces For Pretty Faces sponsored a Halloween candy buy back for orthodontic patients and community members in San Jose, CA. Participants were given $1 for each lb donated. Dr Yao matched each $1 for local a charity and candy was sent to our troops

Our patients and members of the community ROCK!  2009 was our best year ever! This just goes to show that when everybody pitches in a little bit, great things can happen. We collected 485 pounds of candy. Patients in our orthodontic practice, kids from local schools, and patients from dental practices in the area cashed in their treats to participate in our annual charity program.

Dr. Yao awards kids from our orthodontic practice and anyone who wants to join in from the community, $1 for every pound of candy donated. The office matches dollar for dollar the total cash awards distributed and donates that amount to a local charity in the area.

Halloween is a time when breakage of orthodontic appliances is common when kids Trick or Treat and collect candy they shouldn't eat while wearing braces. Our candy buyback program not only provides resources for our nonprofit organizations in the area, school programs, and our troops, it is teaching children the rewards of random acts of kindness and generosity.

All candy collected is donated to the US troops. Chocolate candy is donated locally and the remaining candy is sent to the troops overseas.

This year, Dr Yao will give matching charitable donations to the Nike Animal Rescue Foundation (NRAF). The children at St. Justin's Elementary School teamed up and donated all their candy to raise money to buy much needed supplies for their new Kindergarten program. Local dental practices in San Jose also participated and donated their cash to NRAF.

And yes… it dramatically reduces orthodontic emergency appointments that are very common this time of year. Not only does it keep us on time for scheduled patients in our practice by eliminating unnecessary emergency appointments during our day, it saves valuable time when kids don’t have to miss school to repair damaged braces, not to mention parents taking time off work to bring them in. It’s a win…win for all!

Candy was collected at both Braces For Pretty Faces office locations in San Jose, CA the week after Halloween. The money donated this year to the Nike Animal Rescue Program will go towards operation costs and other expenses.

Let us know your thoughts on our Candy Buyback Program.  Leave your comments below.  We are very interest in what you think and if you have any suggestions for next year.