Dentists Paying Cash for Candy

Children looking to cash in on their Halloween loot can sell their unopened candy to a couple of local dentists near the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Participating dentists will pay children $1 per pound of candy, according to Operation Gratitude, which runs the program. All candy collected will be packaged up by Operation Gratitude and sent as a "treat for the troops" to servicemen and women deployed overseas.

Though there are no participating dentists on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Martin and Sheng Dental, located at 1418 W. 25th St. in San Pedro, will be collecting candy Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to receiving $1 per pound of candy, children dropping their treats off at this location will receive a raffle ticket per pound of candy for a chance to win a $20 iTunes gift card. Children who come in costume will receive three additional raffle tickets.

The other nearby office collecting candy is in Redondo Beach, where Drs. Michael Hopkins & Barbara Kane's Dental Office, located at 1706 S. Elena Ave., Suite B, will collect candy from Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Toys, toothbrushes and coupons from sponsors in Riviera Village will be available for those who donate candy, and everyone who donates will be entered to win a Sonicare Toothbrush. There will also be a giant card for the troops that everyone can sign.

Last year, Operation Gratitude shipped more than 175 tons of candy overseas.

A list of participating dentists and doctors is posted at halloweencandybuyback.com.

—City News Service contributed to this report.