Jackson dentist buys back Halloween candy to benefit nonprofit
NORTH JACKSON — Help teenage girls in need by getting rid of unwanted Halloween candy. A Jackson dentist has a program that could turn your unopened candy into money for a local nonprofit. West Tennessee Pediatric Dental has thousands of pieces of Halloween candy at its office in Jackson. Dr. John Williams, a pediatric dentist, said the goal is to prevent tooth decay. “That’s our No. 1 goal is always prevention, prevention, prevention and try to help these children avoid getting cavities,” he said. Williams said for every pound of candy donated, up to five pounds, they will give $1 to Eden of Youth Town. The nonprofit helps teenage girls struggling with substance addiction. “Donations are really important,” Eden Program Director Paige Bledsoe said. Bledsoe said the money could be used to pay for supplies, scholarships and other needs across the Beech Bluff campus. “It makes your heart jump,” Bledsoe said. “It’s just wonderful.” All of the candy collected will go to Operation Gratitude. It‘s an organization that sends care packages to U.S. service members and veterans. “Goes to a great cause locally, it gives us an opportunity to support the troops and it also helps us to encourage children not to eat too much candy,” Williams said. Williams said they already have collected about 75 pounds of candy. He said when kids donate candy they will receive free ice cream at Maggie Moo‘s. They will collect candy through Thursday.
