Kool Smiles dental offices in Tyler and Longview are coordinating for the fifth annual Operation Troop Treats candy exchange to benefit U.S. service members.

The program encourages children to bring their Halloween candy to any area Kool Smiles in exchange for a toy from Oct. 28 through Nov. 5. The candy will then be sent in care packages to U.S. service members stationed overseas via nonprofit Operation Gratitude. Kool Smiles initiated the program to help raise awareness about good dental hygiene and uplift service members.

Every child who donates 25 pieces of unopened candy in its original packaging at a Kool Smiles office will receive one toy. There is a limit of 3 toys per child and toys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

In 2015, children and families donated more than three tons of candy for the troops through Operation Troop Treats. 

In addition to the candy collected, Kool Smiles is donating 200 dental kits for troops, as well as the funds to cover the assembly and shipment of 200 care packages.

Locations are:

• Kool Smiles Longview, 2539 Judson Road, Longview, 903-553-1586

• Kool Smiles Longview-Estes, 710 Estes Drive, Ste. 105, Longview, 903-686-0696

• Kool Smiles Tyler, South Loop 323, 1932 E. SE Loop 323, Tyler, 903-533-1816

For more information on the program, visit www.mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats or contact Dorothy Fuchs at 410-637-8337 or purpledotpr@comcast.net.