October 31, 2006 > What a Treat!

by Karthik Raman

Yes, it’s that time of year again!  The time when kids and adults all over the country are buying candy and preparing costumes and bags for that special night: Halloween!  Although many dentists and orthodontists dread the days after Halloween, Dr. Bobby Shemirani enjoys and makes use of them by holding an “Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back.”  Dr. Shemirani has been holding this buy-back for several years, paying a dollar per pound of candy received.  “The candy buy-back isn’t an original idea itself,” explains Shemirani. “It’s what we do with the candy that makes our idea different.” 

The candy that is bought back by Dr. Shemirani is donated to the American troops in Iraq, through the Blue Star Moms, a league of mothers whose sons have gone to Iraq for the war.  Every year, they send care packages to the troops.  Since the troops cannot trick-or-treat, candy is included in the care packages following Halloween.  Furthermore, for every dollar that is given to the candy donors, a matching dollar is given to charity.  Every year, Dr. Shemirani donates the money to a different cause.  Last year, he donated to the American Cancer Society and this year, his donations will go to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  Dr. Shemirani chose the Make-A-Wish foundation because one of his young patients, who had Leukemia, had his wish to go to Paris fulfilled by the foundation.

Dr. Shemirani’s office, at 3705 Beacon Ave., #100, Fremont, is open for public donations on Nov. 2, between 2 pm and 6pm.  If you are a client, you can make donations anytime during the month of November. For more information, please call (510) 793–9025.