They're beetle larvae, probably scarabs, and probably not great for your yard. I'd toss them out where the birds can get them. Eventually you'll have a little bird fan club following you when you garden.

Ariel, we usually refer to these larvae as white grubs. In your location, they may very well be Japanese Beetle or European Chafer grubs but there no way of being able to make an ID without an inspection with a hand lens.

I do as Fori does and make sure that the birds get all of the grubs, caterpillars, and other juicy tidbits that I don't want in my gardens or lawn.