Candy trade-in party on Saturday for Operation Gratitude - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- Meriter Pediatricians will be collecting excess Halloween candy this Saturday. The candy will be sent to U.S. Troops overseas as part of Operation Gratitude. 

Kids who donate their extra candy will be given healthy treats in return. They will also be entered to win prizes; and the more candy they donate, the more entries they will receive.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 30 years," said Meriter Pediatrician Sara E. Kreckman, MD. "This event is a way for families to realize everything can be enjoyed in moderation, especially when it comes to their children's health."

Physicians Plus and Meriter representatives will be onsite to answer any parents' questions or discuss the benefits of having a Meriter primary care physician.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Meriter West Washington clinic. It's headed up by a core group of nine pediatricians from Meriter.