Kids can trade in candy for cash

Published 9:00 pm Monday, October 30, 2006

A Snohomish County orthodontist is trying to prevent a sugary mess by buying back Halloween candy collected by trick-or-treaters.

Starting Wednesday and continuing for the next two weeks, children can turn in candy at Bourne Orthodontics in Marysville and Lake Stevens.

The office is paying $4 a pound for candy; kids get $2 and another $2 goes to local Boys &Girls Clubs.

Last year, children turned in more than 200 pounds of candy, orthodontist Dr. Jason Bourne said.

“Most kids don’t need all the candy they’re getting,” Bourne said. “The amount of candy is ridiculous.”

Last year, one child picked up 20 pounds of candy, he said.

For kids who wear braces, some candy, including caramel and taffy, hard candy, bubble gum, peanuts, and popcorn, can get stuck in their orthodontic hardware and cause problems, Bourne said.

If kids wearing braces must eat candy, stick to chocolate or peanut butter cups and be sure to follow with a good brushing, he said.

Candy buy-backs will take place Wednesday, Monday and Nov. 8, 14 and 16 at 9644 Market Place, Suite 104, in Lake Stevens and Thursday and Nov. 7, 9, 13 and 15 at 815 Stave Ave., Suite 3, in Marysville.

For more information, call 360-659-0211 or 425-334-4053.