Witch way can you help?
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year. The costumes, decorations, and all those sweet treats are just a few things that make this holiday our favorite. But for those less fortunate, Halloween can be a stressful time due to monetary, physical, and societal struggles.
According to UT Dallas Magazine, volunteerism increases by 50% during November and December thanks to Christmas and the holiday season. While this is a wonderful statistic, it does make us ask ourselves, “How can we work together to spread some holiday cheer during Halloween?”
At Spirit Halloween, we’re all about giving back. For that reason, we put together a list of the best ways to volunteer and help people out as we approach the Halloween season. It’s time to lend a helping hand and make Halloween easy for everyone to enjoy!
Donate Old Costumes
Donating old costumes to a non-profit organization like Goodwill or a local thrift store is a great way to show your support. For families who struggle financially, shopping for a Halloween costume can be stressful, and sometimes it’s not even an option. From trick-or-treating to Halloween parties and costume day at school, it’s important that everyone is able to celebrate their favorite holiday. So clean out your closet, attic, or basement, donate your old costumes, and provide someone with a chance to dress up for Halloween!
Donating old costumes is also a sustainable way to help the environment. Giving these costumes another chance at life reduces your environmental footprint by preventing them from going to landfills. All in all, donating old costumes is a win-win.
Donate to Spirit Halloween’s “Spirit of Children”
Spirit Halloween is home to the program Spirit of Children. Spirit of Children’s year-round mission is to make hospitals less scary for children. Monetary donations are given all year, but during the Halloween season, the program provides costumes, accessories, and decorations to the children’s hospitals. In partnership with Spirit Halloween, 100% of every dollar donated goes to the children’s hospitals.
Help Out Your Neighbors
Halloween decorations are essential to the Halloween fun, but maybe your neighbor is older, physically disabled, or just busy. Helping your neighbor put their indoor or outdoor decorations on display is a wonderful way to give back. Everyone deserves to bask in the spooky festivities no matter their age, physique, or schedule.
Volunteer at a Trunk-or-Treat
All you need to do is enter your vehicle into a local trunk-or-treating event, decorate your vehicle, and offer candy to trunk-or-treaters. Trunk-or-treat events are safer for children, as they’re usually held in well-lit, contained areas. These events also provide a trick-or-treating opportunity for children who do not live in a typical residential neighborhood.
Donate Candy and Other Treats
If you have leftover candy or baking items, call local food pantries, nursing homes, or homeless shelters to see if they will take your goods. Many places have different policies, so it’s important to receive permission first. Everyone deserves a sweet treat, especially during spooky season.
These are just some of the many ways to give back to your community and the world this Halloween season. It’s important to remember that giving back doesn’t have to start in November and end in December. It just starts with you!
