Each year the Y joins local schools and organizations to offer a “Candy Buy-Back” for a Healthy Halloween. This program targets the piles of candy collected on Halloween and gives incentives to kids to turn in their extra candy into a chance to win a bicycle.

“Global sugar consumption for kids increases by about 2% annually and currently sits at 50 million tons per year, which means we need to be watchful, now more than ever before,” said Damon Colaluca, President & CEO of the West End YMCA. “We know that too much candy can lead to hyperactivity and weight gain, as well as cavities or worse.”

This year, the Y plans to be hold its Healthy Halloween: Candy Buy-Back at 17 sites throughout the west end of San Bernardino County, including:

Chino Valley YMCA ; The Y at Vet’s Park; Scheu Family YMCA; The Ontario Center School; Elderberry Elementary; Mt. View Elementary; Anna Borba Elementary; Baldy View Elementary; Cabrillo Elementary, and Citrus Elementary.

Also, Foothill Knolls Academy; Magnolia Elementary; Pepper Tree Elementary; Sierra Vista Elementary; Sycamore Elementary; Upland Elementary, and Valencia Elementary.

Starting Nov. 1, kids can turn in their candy at any of these sites and receive one raffle ticket for each pound of candy donated. On Nov. 5 each site will pick a winning raffle ticket and award the winner with a brand-new bicycle.

The collected candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.org) and sent to deployed troops (who could sure use a treat or two!) serving across the globe.