In an effort to promote a safe and healthy Halloween for children, Family Orthodontics will again buy back the candy that young trick-or-treaters collect. This year, matching donations will be made to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, an organization that raises money to help find a cure for blood cancers and to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families.

Candy may be brought to Family Orthodontics, 10261 Route 60 in Fredonia, on Tuesday, between the hours of 2 and 5 p.m. Family Orthodontics will pay $1 for each pound of Halloween treats collected, so that children will have the option of purchasing a healthier alternative.

In addition, Family Orthodontics will donate $1 for each pound collected to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The collected candy will be sent in care packages to American troops serving overseas.

“Halloween can be a fun holiday for kids of all ages,” said Dr. Matthew Fortna of Family Orthodontics. “But too much candy can contribute to tooth decay and other health problems. And for people who wear braces, eating hard, sticky or chewy candies can harm their braces and may lengthen their orthodontic treatment.

“This program serves so many purposes. It raises awareness about the negative effects of the candy. It rewards children for making good decisions with all of the extra candy. It funds a tremendous charity. It funds local PTA groups to ease the burden of their own fundraising activities. It reminds our troops that we are thinking about them and the sacrifices they are making for our freedoms. When I served in the military, I looked forward to receiving care packages. The candy buy-back program is a win-win scenario.”

For more information on the candy buy-back, contact Family Orthodontics at 672-2002, find them on Facebook, or visit their website at www.familyort.