Los Alamitos dentist, Edward H. Luong, D.M.D., collected 418 pounds of candy to be shipped overseas to U.S. service members in care packages for Operation Gratitude.
Los Alamitos dentist, Edward H. Luong, D.M.D., collected 418 pounds of candy to be shipped overseas to U.S. service members in care packages for Operation Gratitude.
The dentist paid a dollar a pound for Halloween candy from his patients and the community. This is his first year of the candy buy back.
“I am pleasantly surprised by the community’s support, and thank them very much,” said Dr. Luong. “We look forward to doing this for many years to come.”
Dr. Luong personally dropped off all the candy to the National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, where Operation Gratitude assembles the care packages. Since 2003, Operation Gratitude sends 100,000 care packages annually containing snacks, entertainment items and personal letters to U.S service members, to their children left behind, to Wounded Warriors, veterans and first responders.
“One of the ladies at the armory said it was one of their biggest years with 250,000 pounds of candy given by the public,” said Dr. Luong. “I can’t say enough about the community.”
“It was really cool,” said Sue Ann Williams, administrative assistant to Dr. Luong. “We had people who read about it in the News Enterprise and people within our building donated, too.”
Dr. Luong collected 252 pounds from a patient who is a Principal at Eastbluff Elementary School in Costa Mesa where their Student Council did it as a fundraiser. Also, many adults brought in their children’s Halloween candy in exchange for cash.
Dental hygienist, Donna Huling, won Dr. Luong’s office contest for a $25 gift certificate to Target, guessing that they would collect 432 pounds of candy. Dr. Luong’s office is also collecting for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots this year as well.
“We are an official drop off for Toys for Tots,” said Dr. Luong. “I’m sure donations for Toys for Tots will be just as great as for Operation Gratitude.” The public is encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys before Dec. 17 at Dr. Luong’s office at 3551 Farquhar Ave., Ste. 103. in Los Alamitos.
For more information about donating or volunteering for Operation Gratitude, please contact them at www.operationgratitude.com. For information about the Marine Corps Toys for Tots, please contact them at www.toysfortots.org.