Beyond Belief Network Guides: Halloween Service Event Guide
By Administrator
Have a spooky service event in mind for Halloween? Use this event guide to inspire your volunteer group to create its own tricks and treats! If you decide to do a service event, don’t forget to submit a report telling us how it went. You can also email us for help!
Halloween Safety Tips
Don’t go alone. If you’re trick-or-treating, always walk in a group or with a trusted adult. Bring a flashlight along to help you see and others see you. Walk, don’t run, from house to house. To help drivers see your party, fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags. No matter how tempting, wait until after you or a trusted adult has examined all treats before consuming them.
Walking rules. When walking in a neighborhood, use the sidewalks. If that’s not possible, then walk on the far edge of the road facing traffic. Look both ways when crossing a street. Use an established crosswalk whenever possible. Visit only well-lit houses, and never enter a home unless you’re with a trusted adult. Never accept a ride from a stranger.
Costume tricks. Test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before going to bed to prevent skin and eye irritation. Avoid the potential for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses. Costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible. Wear well-fitting (and when possible, flame-resistant) costumes, masks, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls. For additional information, check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s page on Halloween Safety.
Handing out treats. If you’ve decided to hand out treats, stick to giving out factory-wrapped treats. Keep walking areas and stairs well-lit and free from obstacles that could result in falls. Candle-lit jack o’lanterns and other luminaries should be placed on a sturdy table and not left unattended.
Event Ideas
Tricks and Treats for Those in Need. Kids in shelters or those sick in the hospital often are unable to participate in trick or treating. Your volunteer group can take the fun by gathering treat bags, toys and candy to hand out. It’s a great way to brighten their day. Another fun Halloween activity to engage in with these kids can be to decorate pumpkins. Bring markers, stickers and other art supplies along with small pumkins.
Give to the Red Cross. Look no further for a spooky service event than here. Make a list of all interested volunteers willing to donate blood, plasma, etc. Then, contact your local Red Cross to set up a group appointment. On the day of the event, once all volunteers have finished donating, grab a bite to eat. Keep in mind, this event can be combined with a collection (ex. canned goods, cash, etc.) for the Red Cross or another organization To check whether volunteers are eligible to donate blood, check out the Red Cross’s Blood Donation Eligibility Requirements.
Gathering Spirits. This is appropriate for volunteer groups that meet on a regular basis. At one of your group’s meetings, have Halloween themed drinks and snacks. If serving alcohol, take all necessary precautions (ex. Have designated drivers. Set up a drink limit. etc.). Request a minimum donation and donate the proceeds to a Foundation Beyond Belief beneficiary. If your group has the time and resources, turn it into a party open to the community.
Light the Night. October isn’t about only about collecting candy; it’s also about raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Look into participating in a Light the Night Walk in your area.
Questions or Concerns?
If you need help with planning your event or have additional questions, the best way to contact Beyond Belief Network is to use the contact webform, which enables us to track the resolution of your question. You can also email us at bbn@foundationbeyondbelief.org.