‘Trick or Treat Street’ Brings Community Together
‘Trick or Treat Street’: Giving back to the community. (Photo by Chris Henchey ’14)
At 6 p.m. on Sunday, children of the Delaware community walked the OWU campus decked out in their Halloween costumes as part of the “Trick or Treat Street” program put on by the Residential Life staff. Carrie Miller ’11, Residential Life Coordinator for Hayes Hall and the SLUs, served as the event coordinator and met with a committee of Resident Assistants and Small Living Unit house members to organize the program.
Miller estimates that 217 children participated in the event based on a count at the Modern Foreign Language House which was first on the route, and reports that about 217 lbs. of candy was distributed along the whole route. Each SLU and residence hall designated a decoration theme, decided on a scare rating, and delegated tasks to OWU student volunteers.
“The best part was how well every house came together. Everyone worked very hard,”says Miller.
Sam DeJarnett ’12, committee member who represented the House of Black Culture (HBC) had a lot to say about the event’s positive impact as well.
“As house members,, we went through a lot of bonding experiences while setting it up and putting it together, he says.” DeJarnett enjoyed helping to decorate for the HBC’s theme “haunted hospital” before the children arrived, and passed out candy at the door from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. She enjoyed watching the children have so much fun.
“It brings the community into OWU and and into our houses and lets the kids explore aspects of the HBC —and college in general. We let them in and got to share positive light of college for community.”
Sophomore and residential assistant Zeke Brechtel ’13 served as Smith Hall’s committee representative. He expressed pride in the residents of his hall for stepping up to volunteer.
“The fact that we were doing it for the Delaware community shows that OWU students are willing to give back to the community,” says Brechtel. “It gives the school a nice image. Parents of the trick-or-treaters got to see a giving, congenial side of OWU.”