Homeless kids to get Halloween costumes
In just a couple of weeks, thousands of princesses, witches and devils will be running the streets on the hunt for free candy.
Halloween is coming, and undoubtedly, many children across Lake County have already picked out their costumes.
But others don't know if they'll get to take part in the festivities.
When you're homeless, spending money on a Halloween costume often is out of the question.
But a new organization is working to make sure kids who want costumes get them.
Lake Forest-based Teen-Aiders is having a costume drive for homeless children living at PADS and a number of area shelters. Leaders are hoping to collect at least 70 new or gently used costumes in all sizes, for both boys and girls.
Teen-Aiders Vice President Marybeth Reiff says the group is filling a need most have never thought about.
"Their parents need money for basic survival, they can't afford to buy costumes," Reiff said. "But kids takes costumes for granted. They shouldn't have to go without."
With a mission for teens to aid homeless children in Lake County, Teen-Aiders was formed last year with 12 students. It's grown to 45 students from Vernon Hills, Libertyville and Stevenson high schools. There are also students from Woodlawn Middle School in Long Grove, Reiff said.
Teen-Aiders has been coordinating events like Valentine's Day parties and other activities for homeless families in recent months. They will host a Halloween party at the PADS Family Center in Waukegan.
Reiff said when they planned the party, they realized the kids wouldn't have costumes.
"We started thinking about having a costume drive," she said. "We don't have the money to purchase them. So getting the idea for donations seemed perfect."
At least 30 kids at the party will need costumes. In addition, the group has a goal of getting at least 40 more for the kids living at the other shelters who will trick-o-treat in those neighborhoods.
Costumes will be donated to The Staben House, the PADS Family Center, The Samaritan House and the Lake County Haven, Reiff said.
Vernon Hills High School senior Jessica Block is one of the costume drive leaders. She joined Teen-Aiders last August and says interacting with homeless families has opened her eyes to their plight.
"People are going through an awful lot," Block said. "There are so many things that I've taken for granted that these kids don't have."
Block said she loves working with the children. "It's always a great experience. Hanging out and playing with the kids and just being their friends is so much fun," she said. "And seeing the smiles on their faces makes me believe we are making a difference in their lives."
When Teen-Aiders was formed, Reiff said the plan was to focus on homeless in Chicago. But the direction changed.
"We were going to focus on meeting the needs of kids in the city, but came to realize the need is great right here in Lake County," Reiff said. "A lot of kids in this area see the affluent surroundings and this is what they are used to. Many don't realize that 5 miles up the road there are a number of homeless shelters."
The word for donations is getting out via e-mail blasts, fliers posted at local fast food restaurants and the high schools.
Teen-Aiders has three costume drop-off sites in Vernon Hills. New or gently used costumes, of all sizes, can be brought to The Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen; the Laschen Community Center, 294 N. Evergreen Drive; and Focus Products Group, 120 Lakeview Parkway. More details can be found at teen-aiders.org
Teen-Aiders leaders are continually impressed by the volunteer spirit among the young.
"Teenagers just have a passion for this kind of thing," Reiff said. "When we started this, we thought maybe we would only hear from kids who had to do community service. But we've had so many kids stepping up to help. It's amazing."