Children give up candy, get a whole lot more

Dr. Mike Foley, of Winning Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, congratulates Emily, 2, front row, left, Allison, 5, and Samantha Maczka, 7, along with Gregory Sarratori, 11, back row, for donating their candy to help buy food for the needy this past holiday. Photo by Joe Eberle

Youths from around the area gave up their Halloween candy to help feed those in need. Those who sold back the most candy were recently awarded gifts for their generosity.

Dr. Michael Foley of Winning Smiles Pediatric Dentistry on Amherst Manor Road held the Got Candy??? contest following Halloween through Nov. 22.

Children were asked to sell back their Halloween candy for a $1 per pound. For each dollar given out, the office put another dollar towards buying turkeys at St. Luke’s Missionary Center this past Thanksgiving. The candy was also donated as a special treat.

By selling back their candy, the youths were also eligible for prizes in addition to the cash.

On Dec. 11 Winning Smiles announced the winners.

The Maczka family, Emily, 2, Allison, 5, and Samantha, 7, chose a $75 gift card to Toys R Us. Originally the contest offered a bicycle to the winner of the younger group but the family chose the gift card.

Gregory Sarratori, 11, from the older group was awarded an i-Pod shuffle.

The program was created in hopes of reducing the number of children afflicted with cavities and to promote goodwill within the community.