Juliana Hernandez, a 4th grader at Baldy View Elementary School, had no expectations when she turned in three pounds of extra Halloween candy as part of a giveback program to support U.S. troops.

“I thought it was going to be fun. I thought it was going to help,” Juliana said after her raffle ticket was drawn for a new bicycle. “I was happy and surprised.”

The program, the first of its kind in the Upland Unified School District (UUSD), was part of a bigger candy exchange sponsored by the West End YMCA as part of Military Family Month.

Baldy View encouraged students to bring in their excess Halloween candy and by Monday had collected 126 pounds of sweets, which will be sent to troops through Operation Gratitude.

In addition to Baldy View Elementary School, collection points were hosted at eight other sites throughout the West End YMCA footprint.