HALLOWEEN PARTY & CANDY BUY BACK
Now that Christmas is upon us, let's talk about Halloween!!
Every year we host a Halloween Party and Candy Buy Back as a way to have fun with our patients and donate to a good cause. We have tons of games and prizes to win, let kids loose in our office to play, and we pay $1 per pound up to $5 for all the hard-earned candy kids have that they are willing to donate. We get a lot of questions about our party, so here's a little Q & A plus a review of this year's party!
Q: What do you do with all that candy?
A: We got about 500 pounds of candy this year, which was our biggest year yet! All of this candy is donated to Operation Gratitude. We ship it to California where it is sorted and sent to our service men and women serving overseas. Some packages are also sent to their children left behind, and to New Recruits, Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors and their Care Givers. The candy is used in many different ways. Some soldiers fill their pockets before going out every day to pass out to children in the streets. We are proud to be a part of this organization.
Q: I want my kids to donate candy! How do I talk them into it?
A: Nothing harder than taking candy from kids, is there?! In our experience, letting kids choose a set amount of candy (20 pieces? 30 pieces?) and then donating the rest is the way to go. Have them pick out a certain amount and then tell them to look at what's left. Do they even like whats' there? Usually after picking out their favorites kids are eating candy just for the sake of eating it, not because they actually like it. Might as well make a few $$. Also, explain that a lot of the candy ends up going to kids in far away countries who wouldn't otherwise get anything like it.
Q: We want to come, but my kids won't give up their candy. Can we still come?
A: OF COURSE! Donating candy is just a small part of what we do at our annual event. Come write a thank you note to be included in our donation, enter to win one of MANY prizes, get your face painted, and play! Everyone is welcome whether you want to sell your candy or not!
Q: Do I have to be a patient to come?
A: OF COURSE NOT! Come hang out with us!
Q: What else is there to do?
A: We have AMAZING face painters come.
We have fun guessing games with great prizes!
We also have a fun fishing pond, not to mention all the fun things that are just part of our normal every-day activities around here like our huge slide and iPlay.
We are looking forward to next year's party being our biggest and best yet! Be sure to follow this blog and our Facebook page for updates on all our fun activities!
