Kaitlyn Allen and her friends collected almost 15 pounds of candy Halloween night.
Then they gave it all away.
The 5-year-olds were among hundreds of kids who donated their collected treats to the Smiles Change Lives third annual Candy Exchange on Sunday afternoon at City Market.
The event collected more than 850 pounds of candy.
For every pound of candy raised, Ace Scale Co. will donate $1 to Smiles Change Lives, which provides braces for low-income youths. The candy will be donated to troops overseas.
Booths at the event provided tips on oral hygiene and offered free items such as dental floss, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Despite giving up their candy, almost none of the kids put up a fight.
“I wasn’t sad to give up my candy because it was for the soldiers to eat,” said Kaitlyn, of Independence. “They don’t get candy ever, and I have plenty.”
Angie Smith, of Kansas City, Kan., said she was stunned when her 5-year-old daughter, Addison Brandau, collected a pound of candy while trick-or-treating.
“Most of it was candy she wasn’t going to eat anyway, so it made sense to donate it for a good cause rather than throw it away,” Smith said. “And it was a perfect way to spend this beautiful day with her.”
Roth Orthodontics held a Candy Exchange Sunday at Clear Creek Elementary School in Shawnee.
Hechler Orthodontics will hold a Candy Exchange from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at 12800 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park.
To reach Jennifer Bhargava, call 816-234-7737 or send e-mail to jbhargava@kcstar.com.
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