Judi’s candy being weighed

By Judi Curry

If you are like me and purchased your Halloween candy at CostCo, and not wanting to run out in case your gremlins were going to trick you so you bought two GIANT bags, you probably are wondering what to do with the left-over candy.  After all, how many pieces of candy can YOU eat before you say “enough!”

I’ve got the answer for you! While listening to the news the other night I heard that a group of dentists were collecting the left-over candy to send to our troops overseas.  At first I started laughing, because who would expect a dentist to collect candy for any reason?

But after meeting Dr. Ana Simerlein and her office manager Kathi, I have some answers to pass on to you.

Last year the San Diego County Dental Society sent out a flyer to their members asking them to collect the candy for our troops. The rationale, among other things, was that it removed the candy from the children – and their parents – thus preventing caries in the ensuing months. The candy, small size, would be perfect for our troops fighting overseas.

Kathi explained that many of the people living in Pacific Beach, where their office is located, are military personnel, and this is showing support for them.  This year Kathi went to all of the elementary, middle/jr. high and high school in the 92109 zip code, and left a flyer  telling them that Dr. Simerlein would buy back the wrapped, unopened candy at $1 a pound.  The office would then ship the candy to the designated areas, at her expense, one week after Halloween.

I went on line to find dentists in my area that are participating in “Operation Gratitude” and found three in the 92109 and 92110 zip codes. (Dr. Simerlein was one of those dentists.) The website to find dentists that are participating near you is http://www.alloweencandybuyback.com/ .  Some of the other participating dentists have stipulated they will only buy back 5 pounds; Dr. Simerlein has no such restriction  in spite of the fact that $1 per pound she gives out comes from her petty cash account.  In my case, I just wanted to get the candy out of the house and told her to donate the $7 to the cause. (Yes, I had a lot of candy left over!)

Dr. Simerlein and Kathi

Dr. Simerlein’s office is at 1919 Grand Ave., Suite 1-P, San Diego, 92109 and her phone number is 858-272-5588. Parking is easy and both she and Kathi are a delight to talk to.  (Take a look at the amazing sculpture she has hanging on her wall of pueblos in New Mexico.)

They will continue taking the candy until Thursday, November 7^th for the $1 buyback; they will accept candy on Monday, but without the buyback  because the shipping process will already have started.  (They take donations also.)

I am so relieved to have the candy out of the house; and so happy that our troops will be able to benefit from the buy back.

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Judi Curry

High school dropout who decided to show the educational community what learning is all about. If it's the status quo something's wrong with it and I'll scratch the itch!

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