Fighting for the United States of America overseas in the Middle East is an honorable duty where the soldiers often miss out on their holiday traditions back at home, along with other things. Those at Dr. Antoine Varani’s Family Dentistry Office hope to show their appreciation of the troops by bringing some of their holiday traditions to them in the form of Halloween candy. 

“It is a great way to appreciate the soldiers and to help the community with oral health,” said Anokeen Varani, office manager of Dr. Varani’s office. “We aren’t going to do anything with the candy from the children, so we might as well send it to the troops. We want to bring some home traditions to them, especially since they probably aren’t celebrating Halloween in Iraq.”

This is the second year Dr. Varani’s office has sent candy to the troops with the help of the community.

Children can bring in the candy they received on Halloween in exchange for a goody bag filled with toys, dental supplies and a draw-on mug. The collected candy will help prevent the children from getting cavities and it will put a smile on the soldier’s faces for Halloween, Varani said.

Last year, the office collected more than 40 pounds of candy and they are hoping to collect more, with over 200 goody bags already set for those community members who would like to donate their candy to the troops.

The candy will be shipped to the troops through Operation Gratitude.

Dr. Varani’s office is accepting candy up to a week after Halloween from Nov. 1 through Nov. 5, in exchange for a goody bag. The office is located at 800 Delbon Ave., in Turlock. For more information about this program, call 667-8874.