A local dental practice, Smiles By Holsinger & Higgins, 10646 River Road, Denton, closes its books on a year full of celebrations, including the commemoration of its 25th year in business. The most recent milestone reached was yet another record broken, the collection of 186 pounds of candy for U.S. troops. In 2010, the practice collected 168 pounds of candy. Since the event’s inception in 2008 the practice has collected a total of 591 pounds of candy.

The candy collection took place during the practice’s Halloween Candy trade-in event. During the event kids brought in their leftover candy and were paid $1.00 per pound for the candy donated. The candy was shipped overseas to U.S. troops along with toothbrushes and toothpaste through Operation We Care, a service project of the Eastern Shore Chapter Harley Owners Group and Harley-Davidson of Ocean City. Through this project, which began in the fall of 2007, 2,042 care packages have been sent to U.S. Troops. Many of these troops are from the Delmarva area. This year Smiles By Holsinger & Higgins also donated $500.00 to Operation We Care to help defray shipping costs.

Next year’s Halloween candy trade-in will be held November 1-2, and 5-8. For more information, please call (410) 479-3644 or (800) 617-3644 (Delaware).

In photo: Surrounded by 186 pounds of candy, from left, are: Priscilla Sellers, administrative coordinator; Patricia E. Higgins, D.D.S.; and Rowland S. Holsinger, D.D.S.; Tricia Sealover, dental assistant; and Angela Johnson, dental assistant.