We Want Your Candy!

With Halloween in the rearview and Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, we are busy collecting and packing the influx of trick or treat bounty collected through our Halloween Candy Buyback Program (HCBB). HCBB brings together dentists, orthodontists, and other oral healthcare professionals as well as a variety of civic minded organizations and local businesses from around the country with the goal of getting candy shipped to our troops.

“The national Halloween Candy Buy Back program began with the goal of getting some of the glut of candy “off the streets” and reducing the overconsumption of sugar by children. In turn those collected treats are shipped to our troops to let them know we appreciate them and as a thank you for serving to keep us safe.”

**Dr. Chris Kammer, DDS**

“In 2005, I held my first HCBB and it was a smash success with my patients, the general public and the media. The next year, I invited dentists from across the country to participate in the HCBB by simply paying $1 for every pound of candy a child brought into their respective offices and then sending those goodies to the troops overseas along with other necessary items like toothbrushes and socks. In the years that followed, the USA dental offices responded in ever increasing numbers!”

Dr. Kammer went on to say “I am proud to say we eventually partnered with Troopathon who really streamlined the program. Now dental offices ship the candy directly to the Troopathon offices and they get them to the troops! Those serving our country abroad receive a surprise when these wonderful care packages arrive overseas for them!”

Troopathon’s Halloween Candy Buyback Program is an excellent opportunity to support our troops. Dr. Kammer, added, “At a time when childhood obesity is not improving in our country, programs like the Halloween Candy Buyback are needed more than ever.”

The Halloween Candy Buyback encourages families to turn in their excess candy to a local participating school, business, or oral health professional’s office. Participating groups often offer incentives such as a small cash donation in exchange for the candy which will add a special sweet surprise to our Troopathon care packages. It’s not too late, we are still accepting candy from around the country!

In 2023, Troopathon collected over 30,000 pounds of candy to help us treat thousands of military members across the world in our military care packages.

Welcome back to all our return participants and welcome aboard to all newcomers to our Halloween Candy Buyback program. With your help we can make 2024 our most successful Candy Buy Back ever!

Notably November

*Our troops gather to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal*

**Photo by Lance Cpl. John Allen**

**November 10 marks the 249th birthday of our “Always Faithful” United States Marines.**
Do I hear an *Oorah* ringing out “From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli?” Yes, I do!
The USMC has been part of every war the United States has been involved in since their founding in 1775. Today there are more than 200,000 active duty and reserve Marines serving both state-side and abroad.
Always ready, always willing, always able, and most importantly – “Semper Fidelis” – Always Faithful. Our elite Marines defend and protect our shores. Today, more than ever we are privileged and humbled to offer them our very heartfelt birthday wishes.

**November 11th is Veterans Day**.

Use this opportunity to thank all of those who have served the greatest nation on earth. To all our Veterans, we say “Thank You!” Your sacrifice and service has kept us safe at home. Please take the time to thank your friends, co-workers or loved ones this year who have served our country. In honor of America’s brave veterans, please take the time to fly your American flag with PRIDE.
If you are a veteran, check out these discounts available for you to enjoy for Veterans Day.
Veterans Day is sometimes confused with Memorial Day. However, Veterans Day honors the service of all U.S. military veterans, whereas Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for the men and women who gave their lives in service.

**November 13, 1942**

All five Sullivan brothers -- Joseph, Francis, Albert, Madison and George -- serving in the US Navy aboard the *USS Juneau* lost their lives following a Japanese torpedo attack in the waters off Guadalcanal during World War II.
The Sullivan Brothers were survived by their parents and one sister, Genevieve, who served in the WAVES program.
Albert Sullivan left a wife and young son behind. His son, Jimmy grew up to serve on board the USS *The Sullivans,* named in honor of his father and uncles.

**November 19, 1863**
President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during ceremonies dedicating the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Battlefield as a National Cemetery. Lincoln’s speech clocking in at just under two minutes is now considered one of the greatest speeches in American history.

**Thanksgiving is November 28, 2024**

Troopathon is gearing up to send Thanksgiving Care Packages to our troops!
Our volunteers are already preparing for one of our busiest times of year!
We just need your support to get these boxes on the way to the Middle East, Europe, Africa, or wherever our troops are deployed.

Tax Smart Giving Simplified

Estate planning often causes anxiety and confusion. Adding to the fun, it can be expensive and time-consuming. That’s where FreeWill.com comes to the rescue. FreeWill is the no-cost alternative that allows you to set up a legal will in as little as 20 minutes. FreeWill partners up with non-profits like us to allow individuals to leave a lasting gift to causes that are important to you. We hope you will consider FreeWill and Troopathon as you consider final estate planning.

Planning your estate with FreeWill offers you a 100% legal will specifically tailored to your jurisdiction.

FreeWill believes in the human instinct to do good. They continue to make charitable giving easy. To date, the FreeWill platform has allowed individual estates to commit more than $8.7B+ to nonprofit organizations. Just imagine the amount of good you could help create with your own legacy gift.

What is more, Free will allows you to address commonly faced estate planning needs. Indeed, now you can make charitable donations in tax-advantaged ways, all for free. Just think, you can benefit through tax deductible donations while still making a fantastic gift that will benefit our troops.

Gifts don’t need to be just cash either. Indeed, legacy gifts can include cryptocurrency, stocks, and real estate. We’ve always been here for you to help you support our troops as they serve all of us here at home. With FreeWill legacy giving, your estate planning can include a gift that will continue our important mission on your behalf.

Take a moment to visit the FreeWill.com website and if you choose, consider designating Troopathon as a giving partner.

Bombas Socks for Toasty Toes

Our troops work hard and their feet take a beating. From carrying back-breaking loads upwards of 70 pounds to logging far more miles than the average person can even imagine, our troops deserve a little pampering. That's why we've included high-quality Bombas socks in our care packages for a limited time.

These socks are designed with comfort and durability in mind, featuring thoughtful design elements like toe seams and slip-resistant technology. In addition to Bombas, Troopathon care packages contain all kinds of goodies to pamper our troops. Our packages include premium coffee, tender beef jerky, energy gels, Gatorade packets, hand and face wipes, candy, nuts, and cookies. All of these items are selected with the specific needs and requests of deployed troops in mind. A simple item like a pair of socks can show our troops that we care. Thanks to a generous donation, we can now give our troops one more way to say "Thanks, we love you!"

Join us in pampering our troops with the comfort and care they deserve. Show your appreciation for those who serve our country with a Troopathon care package today.