Drake Orthodontics wants to donate more than 800 pounds of leftover Halloween candy this year. (photo courtesy bnbraces.com)

By Zach Dietmeier

NORMAL - Now that Halloween is over, digging out of the piles of candy is made easy by a local orthodontist.

Dr. Carl Drake and Drake Orthodontics are holding their third year of excess candy buybacks Thursday in Normal, according to office manager Debbie Durako.

"We originally found out about this program from a different organization," said Durako. "Dr. Drake found it to be a valuable tool to help keep some of the candy out of kids' hands and giving it to the troops overseas."

You can drop off your extra candy at the office at 310 Susan Drive between 3 and 6pm. Durako said the buyback rate is $1 per pound.

"What they're really in need of is white tube socks," said Durako. "They will take donations of tootbrushes, toothpaste, and really anything that will fit inside of a box or a stocking," said Durako.

Durako said they collected over 800 pounds of candy last year so they are looking to up that rate this year.

"Dr. Drake thinks this is a great way of giving back, and it also allows our kids to also have that feeling of giving back."

Zach Dietmeier can be reached at zach.dietmeier@cumulus.com.