Sweet Treats from Dr. Rotem’s Candy Buy-back Program Sent to Soldiers – Contest Winners Announced
More than 260 lbs. of sweet treats from Dr. Rotem’s 11th annual candy buy-back program were sent to U.S. troops serving overseas. Melissa Martini, age 12 and her sister Megan, 7, Toms River, were the winners in the family category. They not only received $10.00, the maximum award ($1.00 a pound up to 10 lbs. per family), but they also won $50.00 for bringing in the most candy, by weight.
More than the prize money, the Martini sisters were focused on the soldiers who would be receiving the candy. “Thank you for your hard work in protecting our country,” they said. “We hope you like all the candy and hope you don’t get hurt. Come home safely!”
Individual classrooms were also eligible to win a cash prize. Students in Miss Allyson Kitson’s Fourth grade class at The Potter School, Bayville, won $400.00, which the students intend to use for a field trip to Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Since the Potter School students rarely have the opportunity to take field trips, the class wanted to share their prize with whole grade, not just their class.
Kitson, a teacher for 11 years at The Potter School, said, “When I told the students about Dr. Rotem’s buyback program you could see their faces just lit up, they practically jumped out of their seats. It was not a matter of making them do it, they truly wanted to do this for the soldiers.”
After Brody Elms, a student in the class, found out the donated candy would be sent to U.S. soldiers, he said, “I wanted to give them my FAVORITE candy.” Brody’s mom said he sorted through his stash and picked out all his favorites to donate.
Although Dr. Rotem’s practice at 355 Lakehurst Road, Toms River, focuses on cosmetic dentistry and conscious sedation for adults, he feels this annual contest reinforces a sense of civic duty and community involvement by sending the candy to our troops as well as an incentive to save teeth from decay.
This is the 11th year Dr. Rotem has sponsored his Halloween Buy-back Candy contest. The candy was shipped to our overseas troops through the American Recreational Military Service (ARMS). http://www.supportarms.org/
For further information, call Dr. Rotem’s office at 732-341-8500.
About Dr. Rotem: Dr. Rotem graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 1991. His practice focuses on cosmetic dentistry and conscious sedation. Dr. Rotem belongs to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, NJ Chapter of the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation, the International College of Cranial Mandibular Orthopedics, the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, Monmouth/Ocean Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Rotem is an active member of the Crown Council. He is also a member of the Jersey Shore Business Network, Toms River.