Dentist's candy buy-back a 'huge success'

MOSES LAKE - More than 220 pounds of Halloween candy are going to soldiers stationed in Iraq, collected by Moses Lake dentist Dr. Craig Harder.

Harder hosted a candy buy-back Thursday, paying $1 for each pound of candy brought to Moses Lake Family Dentistry.

"We had a bunch of kids that had their unselfish reasons for bringing in the candy," Harder said.

Instead of focusing on the money, most of the children wanted to help out the soldiers in Iraq.

"A young boy left his phone number, asking that one of the soldiers call him so he'd know that they were safe and got the candy he gave," Harder said. "One dad told us how his 6-year-old told him about how they needed to stay out longer on Halloween night because the soldiers were counting on him."

The largest single donation was 12 pounds, brought in by a young girl. She received a $25 Hastings gift card. A total of 63 kids brought in candy, and the dentist exceeded his collection goal by 20 pounds.

"One family brought their candy in and thanked us with a story about their father who is headed back to Iraq next week, and how treats like this from home mean a tremendous amount to those serving in the war," he said. "Many kids gave their dollar bills back to us, asking that we spend it on more candy and gifts for the troops."

Adults can still donate any leftover candy they were unable to hand out, Harder said. Candy must be brought to Moses Lake Family Dentistry by Nov. 12.

A non-profit organization learned about Harder's efforts through an article in the Columbia Basin Herald and is sending the candy to Iraq, he said.

The program was spearheaded by Harder's friend and fellow dentist, Chris Kammer of Middleton, Wis., in which dentists pay money for leftover Halloween candy.

Because of the success of the event, Harder plans to host another candy buy-back next year.

Moses Lake Family Dentistry is located at 975 E. Nelson Road. For more information, call 509-765-4351.