DaytonDailyNews.com

It can be tough getting between a kid and his bag of Halloween candy, but what if you offered cold hard cash for it?

That's the Dayton Dental Collaborative's plan. It will pay $1 per pound to any youngsters who brings their leftover sugary loot to the 5685 Far Hills Ave. office from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.

The candy won't go to waste. The dental collaborative plans to ship it to military troops stationed around the world.

"This is a win-win opportunity for all involved," officer manager Tonya Kistler said. "We get to support the troops who need to know we are thinking of them and appreciate them wherever they are stationed; the kids get cash for their candy and feel great about all their hard work collecting the candy."

Blue Star Mothers of America, Miami Valley Chapter No. 3, will help pack the candy properly to make sure it gets to the troops.

"Right now we have 1,500 Christmas stockings to stuff and we're going to use the candy to stuff into the stockings, so we are hoping they have a great turnout," Beverly Peyton, president of the Blue Star Mothers, said Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Dr. Greg Shelhouse, a dentist in the practice, said they collected more than 550 pounds of treats last year — the first time they attempted getting kids to part with their candy.

"The money works," he said, chuckling.

The motivation to help the troops came when a dental hygienist's husband was put on standby to deploy overseas, and other employees in the office had relatives serving in the military.

Shelhouse said children can wear their Halloween costumes to the event, which will include face painting, a balloon artist and refreshments. Youngsters also will be able to make cards to send to the troops who will receive their sweet treats.

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