SHAMOKIN — Owens Dentistry is collecting Halloween candy from area children as part of Operation Gratitude, a program designed to send Halloween candy to U.S. Armed Forces overseas as a way to say thanks. The collection, originally scheduled for Thursday, will take place today from 5 to 7 p.m. at the office, 21 E. Independence St.

Operation Gratitude will be sending 60,000 care packages. In addition, the group hopes to send 100,000 toothbrush/toothpaste kits along with the goodies.
Owens Dentistry will pay children $1 per pound with a 5-pound limit per child for their candy collected during this Halloween season. For every pound, Owens Dentistry will donate one toothbrush/toothpaste kit and all kids will receive a hygiene goodie bag from Dr. Owens for helping support the cause.
Letters of thanks to the troops and cash donations (to help defray cost of shipping) are welcomed.