Wellesley’s Hardy School takes $1k prize for collecting candy for troops

Wellesley Dental Group has done its part to reduce the Halloween candy sugar content of households in Wellesley and 15 other towns at its 12th Annual Candy Drive. A record number of 17,000 students across 52 schools participated, giving up 13,237 pounds of Halloween candy and smashing the 2018 record of 12,000 pounds. The candy, along with handwritten cards and oral hygiene supplies, will be assembled into holiday-season care packages for the US troops overseas with the help CarePacks, a local non-profit organization.

In celebration of the annual initiative, Drs. Ali and Ali hosted a community event. The crowd abut 120 braved the chilly November temperatures and enjoyed a performance from the Wellesley High School Keynotes, led by Dr. Kevin McDonald. Wellesley Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Peterson was on hand to thank participants for their generosity. Also in attendance were representatives from the 51st Command Troop, West Suburban Veterans’ District, U.S. Coastguard, and the Wellesley Police Department.

The grand prize of $1,000 was awarded to Hardy Elementary School in Wellesley for raising the greatest amount of candy by weight per student. In second place was Fiske Elementary in Wellesley and in third place was Willard Elementary in Concord.

“Every year, this candy drive draws the community together, and we unite over the generosity of our children, as they give up their prized Halloween candy to help our service people enjoy a sweet taste from home,” says Dr. Femina Ali from Wellesley Dental Group.

For any questions or more information about the Wellesley Dental Group, please contact (781) 237-9071 or email candydrive@wellesleydentalgroup.com. Stay up to date with the Wellesley Dental Group by following @WellesleyDental on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.