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Dr. Robert Antolak had his third annual Halloween Candy Buyback program Nov. 1 and 8 at his Shelby Township dental offices. He will donate the candy to needy children. Pictured from left are Jill Lapay, treatment and finance coordinator; Dana Kelly, insurance and marketing coordinator; Antolak; and hygienists Nellie Likomanov, Tammy Fryer and Margie Venetis.
Source photo by Chris Williams
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Amidst the examination rooms, drills and other equipment in the Shelby Township office of Dr. Robert Antolak is a room filled with things you don’t expect to see in a dentist’s office.
In boxes on the floor, against the wall and on cardboard tables sit nearly 500 pounds of candy bars, caramels, peanut butter cups, gum and other things that give the good doctor nightmares about cavities.
“It’s a real temptation for us,” Antolak said, referring to his staff’s struggle with working so close to so many sweets. “We call it the room of sin.”
The goodies are the result of Antolak’s third annual Halloween Candy Buyback, in which children from throughout the area come in to sell their candy to the doctor for $1 a pound. This year, Antolak said the amount of candy he received was much higher than in years past and donations are still being made.
“We have probably gotten more than 500 pounds of candy. I know we’ve given away about $420, plus we’ve had some donations come in,” said Antolak. “Last year we got about 400 pounds, so we’re doing even better this year.”
Official buyback days were Nov. 1 and Nov. 8 at Antolak’s office on 22 Mile Road. Staff members said the day following Halloween, there were lines of children eager to trade in their candy stash for some cold hard cash.
“This was my first year doing this and I was here for it. These kids were so excited to show off their candy,” said staff member Jill Lapay. “A lot of them were so excited just to see how much it weighed; we even had some say they just wanted to donate the candy and they didn’t care about the money.”
Girl Scout groups and church organizations also donated money, and the room is full of not only Halloween treats, but full-size candy bars and unopened bags of candy.
Antolak has much more in mind for the treats than telling kids to cut back on the sugar. Each year he takes a mission’s trip to Haiti with his church and donates approximately 100 pounds of the candy to needy children overseas. The rest of the candy will be given to various rescue missions and outreach ministries throughout the Detroit area.
“It’s just been a real blessing to be able to give this candy away,” said Antolak. “It’s wonderful what the kids will do.”
Antolak also said it’s heartwarming to see children part with their candy, which they spent all Halloween night collecting, so willingly and selflessly.
“They really don’t mind. They’re excited to do it,” he said. “They like to help other kids.”
