Dentist Buying Back Candy
Local dentist Dr. Kurt Laemmer wants to offer children in the community an opportunity to sell their Halloween candy -- and not just for the money. There's a patriotic twist.
Laemmer is allowing children ages 12 and younger to bring their Halloween candy to his office at 197 Interstate Parkway from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. November 1. They receive one gold Washington dollar coin for every pound they bring in (maximum of 5 pounds per child). The dollar coins are available until Laemmer collects 300 pounds of candy. Once all the candy is collected, it will be packaged and shipped to local soldiers who are stationed overseas so they can have "a taste of home."
Laemmer says his motivation came from his affiliation with an online organization of more than 1,000 dentists around the world. Dr. Chris Kammer came up with the concept.
Laemmer says not only will children be consuming less candy and, in turn, saving their teeth from possible decay, the children will be showing local soldiers that even children in the community are thankful for their sacrifice.
Laemmer says he hopes the soldiers do "whatever they want" with the candy.
"Whether they give it children in Iraq that do not get the opportunity to have the treats we take for granted every day, or if they leave it in the barracks to munch on from time to time, it doesn't matter," Laemmer says. "They know we are thinking about them and we are grateful for the unselfish sacrifices they have made. After all, they deserve it."
Shane Oschman of Northwest Savings Bank donated the $300 in gold Washington dollar coins. Byllye Lanes, Little Caesar's and McDonald's are also donating prizes to be given to the children. Dawn McGriff of KOA Speer will see that the candy gets to the troops from our area.
"The community response is very touching," Laemmer says. "I am honored to be able to do something like this for the children that will impact them for the rest of their lives simply by making the right choice."
He says, "We are doing the right thing here. It not only helps the children, it helps the men and women that give so much to make our lives better and a little sweeter."
Laemmer is allowing children ages 12 and younger to bring their Halloween candy to his office at 197 Interstate Parkway from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. November 1. They receive one gold Washington dollar coin for every pound they bring in (maximum of 5 pounds per child). The dollar coins are available until Laemmer collects 300 pounds of candy. Once all the candy is collected, it will be packaged and shipped to local soldiers who are stationed overseas so they can have "a taste of home."
Laemmer says his motivation came from his affiliation with an online organization of more than 1,000 dentists around the world. Dr. Chris Kammer came up with the concept.
Laemmer says not only will children be consuming less candy and, in turn, saving their teeth from possible decay, the children will be showing local soldiers that even children in the community are thankful for their sacrifice.
Laemmer says he hopes the soldiers do "whatever they want" with the candy.
"Whether they give it children in Iraq that do not get the opportunity to have the treats we take for granted every day, or if they leave it in the barracks to munch on from time to time, it doesn't matter," Laemmer says. "They know we are thinking about them and we are grateful for the unselfish sacrifices they have made. After all, they deserve it."
Shane Oschman of Northwest Savings Bank donated the $300 in gold Washington dollar coins. Byllye Lanes, Little Caesar's and McDonald's are also donating prizes to be given to the children. Dawn McGriff of KOA Speer will see that the candy gets to the troops from our area.
"The community response is very touching," Laemmer says. "I am honored to be able to do something like this for the children that will impact them for the rest of their lives simply by making the right choice."
He says, "We are doing the right thing here. It not only helps the children, it helps the men and women that give so much to make our lives better and a little sweeter."
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