Are you anticipating too much candy around the house Wednesday?

This Halloween, parents and children can get rid of some of the excess sugar coming in around the holiday and earn some money in the process, all while giving back to U.S. Military servicemen and women deployed overseas.

Local dentists participating in Operation Gratitude, an organization that sends care packages to members of the military, will buy back residents' Halloween candy and ship it in holiday care packages to troops overseas. In return, children receive cash and toothbrushes. According to the program’s website, most dentist’s offices pay $1 per pound of candy.

For 2012, the program has also launched a promotion for donors to give goodie bags with tooth brushes and toothpaste, so service members can stay cavity-free, too.

Operation Gratitude has sent upwards of 800,000 care packages to troops since it was founded in 2003. Last year, the program shipped 125 tons of candy to troops.

Here are those offices participating within five miles of Woodbridge, but you can click here and input your ZIP Code to find a participating dentist near you. Parents are encouraged to call dentist’s offices to confirm participation.

Harold L. Frank
4335 Ridgewood Center Drive
Woodbridge, VA, 22192
Phone: (703) 590-6966
Email: bracesdds@aol.com
frankorthodontics.com

American Braces & Smile Center
14130 Noblewood Plaza Suite 107
Woodbridge, Va, 22193
Phone: (703) 897-6453
Email: woodbridgebraces@gmail.com
www.braces4yourlife.com

Mapledale Family Dentistry
5812 Mapledale Plaza
Dale City, VA, 22193
Phone: (703) 897-7368
Email: info@mapledaledentistry.com
www.mapledaledentistry.com