Dentist sends candy to overseas troops

A Newport Beach-based dentist donated 92 pounds of candy to troops serving overseas as part of the national Operation Gratitude, according to his office.

As part of the Halloween Candy Buyback program, which plans to send 60,000 care packages to troops this December, Dr. J. Foster Weems collected the candy with help from local trick-or-treaters, each of whom received $2 per pound of candy.

Some kids approached the candy buyback with unexpected zeal, Weems said, and the mail scale in the office wasn’t adequate. A chiropractic scale down the hall was used for some of the larger candy bundles, he said.

More than 1,000 dentists’ offices are participating in the event this year and, according to Weems office, in addition to the candy donation, Weems donated $200 to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.

This year is the first the dental office is participating in the program, and it hopes to participate again in 2013.

Weems said he wanted to show appreciation for those who put their life on the line ever day.

“I really appreciate the fact that these people are leaving the comfort of their own homes and their own lives,” he said. “You just don’t find that so much anymore — someone willing to stand up and, if need be, give their life for us.”

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30