Manville Dental Group collects 51 pounds of candy from area children
By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
Manville Dental Group had a really sweet Halloween again this year as it held its seventh annual candy buyback program.
The program gets as much candy as it can from youngsters, and the youngsters get money in return for it.
Nicole Kurz, coordinator of the event, said about 51 pounds of candy was collected during the five-hour event.
“We had a lot of people that just came in to volunteer and bringing us bags of candy to the door,” Ms. Kurz said. “A lot of people that actually came in were not even our patients; they were just residents of Manville.”
The turnout was consistent with people coming in and out to drop off the candy. There were many younger children who came in to donate candy, and Ms. Kurz said they were “super excited to count their money.”
Forty-one dollars were given to children, and 10 pounds of candy was from donations.
Ms. Kurz went all out this year, decorating the office with a Candyland theme complete with board pieces and candy hanging from the ceiling to give it more of a fun atmosphere. The staff also wore different candy shirts during the event.
“We all know that sugary foods are a direct link to tooth decay, but how do you stop kids from eating candy right after trick or treating?” said Dr. Nirali Trivedi, owner of the practice. “This event gives kids an incentive not to eat all that they collect while helping others, and it makes the dentist a fun place to visit. Everyone wins.”
All the candy collected will be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey for packages that will be packed to the troops Nov. 8 at the Manville VFW.

