Hamilton Area YMCA and Hamilton Dental Associates Partner To Collect Over 810 Pounds of Candy for the Operation Gratitude

YMCA Hamilton Dental Operation gRATITUDE

The Y and Hamilton Dental Associates invited members of the community to bring in leftover Halloween candy, so it could be donated to first responders via Operation Gratitude.

The Hamilton Area YMCA Togetherhood service committee offered the community a solution to the perennial Halloween question: “what should I do with all this leftover candy?”

In keeping with the organization’s commitment to healthy living, the Y held a “candy drive” in partnership with Hamilton Dental Associates with a goal of collecting excess or unwanted Halloween candy to be redistributed to our military and first responders via Operation gratitude.

The Y sorted the candy and was paired with the West Windsor Police Department via Operation Gratitude, a California organization that supports American soldiers and local first responders. In just 72 hours, the Y and HDA collected a staggering 810 pounds of candy.

Packed Boxes of candy collected from the community by the Hamilton Area YMCA and Hamilton Dental Associates that will be distributed to American Soldiers and First Responders through Project Gratitude. Submitted Photo.

“As always, The community’s response to our candy drive was incredible,” said Hamilton Area YMCA CEO Diana Zita. “We were amazed by the community support and thrilled to have a partner in Hamilton Dental Associates.  This initiative by our Togetherhood Committee started as great way to promote healthy living, especially among our youngest members, but it became so much more. We’re proud to support soldiers and first responders with this initiative, it’s a small way to support those who protect and serve. ”

Dr. Etter of Hamilton Dental Associates added, “It’s an honor to partner with such an important community institution like the Y. Like us, they’ve been around Hamilton for many years. We’re just excited to be able to serve and work together on this great cause with them.”


About the Hamilton Area YMCA:

Established in 1951, the Hamilton Area YMCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit community organization that promotes youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Our two branches play host to a variety of programs designed to nurture the potential of young people, improve our health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back to the community and support our neighbors. For more information about the Hamilton Area YMCA and the programs we offer, visit www.hamiltonymca.org.

About Hamilton Dental Associates P.A.

Hamilton Dental is a high-tech, multi-specialty group dental practice for the entire family. 2015 marked our 50th anniversary serving the greater Hamilton community. Our doctors have served local families for generations, ensuring bright smiles for everyone. With three convenient locations, we are right around the corner.  Our 3 offices (Hamilton and Pennington) offer pediatric dentistry, adult dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics and endodontics.  We bring art and science together to improve our patients’ lives and looks. We value service and make every effort to ensure that every visit is as comfortable as possible. Our approach is to find out what is most important to our patients in terms of their dental health and then provide patient care centered on their needs and desires. Using the latest in advanced dental technology, we create dazzling smiles that brighten your life.

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