Unique to America's culture, Halloween is a special holiday where kids interact with the community and get a reward for being brave and outgoing. We wanted to help the seniors relive this excitement, and spent Halloween with them. The kids and adults had wonderful conversations with the elders, and the spooky Halloween turned into a cheerful one!
On October 28, 2017, Seagull Leadership International organized an interesting trick or treat event at Brookdale Senior Center in Fremont, CA. As the grandfather clock struck six, more than 50 Brookdale residents sat in a circle in the library, each holding a pumpkin basket filled with all kinds of candies. The room had already been adorned with pumpkins, ghosts, and other spooktacular decorations. All the residents were excited and eagerly awaited the kids’ arrival.
At 6:15pm, Seagull Leadership International members led more than 30 kids with ages ranging from 14 months old to 10 years old into the library. They were dressing in an assortment of different costumes, including the Little Mermaid, various princesses, a firefighter, Spiderman, a policeman, and even a cute little pumpkin. As the kids entered the room, they all yelled, “Trick or treat!” and the room was soon filled with smiling faces both young and old.
The activity coordinator at Brookdale said that the immobility of the residents had prevented them from doing trick or treat for years and that she was extremely grateful that Seagull was able to help the seniors enjoy the holiday within the senior center. One of the residents said that he had a wonderful time at the event and loved to hug all the kids. Both the seniors and the children who participated in the event had lots of fun and enjoyed an experience that normal trick or treating couldn’t provide.