Action Tips: Host A Costume Collection Drive

Halloween is a time where everyone dresses up and plays pretend. Some kids and teens don’t have the resources to make the perfect costume. Make their holidays a little easier by donating clothes that would make great costumes.

Find your outfits

Get your school, church, or community center to bring in unique outfits that they no longer use, including:

• Sports jerseys and equipment (balls, mitts, etc.)
• Dancewear like leotards (to make a superhero outfit of course)
• Formal dresses from confirmation, Quinceñera, or another childhood time (what little girl doesn’t want to dress as a princess?)
• Camouflage from your hunting or paintball days (the kid could be a soldier)
• Past Halloween costumes

Organize the goods

Also ask for cardboard box donations that will hold the costumes. Label them by gender and age range (0-2 years, 2-5 years, etc.). This way people can drop their costume in the appropriate box.

Contact the kids

Get in touch with a school, church, or community center that will bring their kids to choose the costumes. If you can’t think of any, go online and find the phone number to:

• Your local County Department of Health and Human Services
• A local Ronald McDonald House
• Your school district or hospital
• Friends and family who know families and children in need

Reserve

After getting all of your spooky apparel, host the event in your community space. With the approval of the manager of your space and the organization that’s bringing the kids, set a date and time best for everyone.

On the big day

Make sure the event has a Halloween mood. Decorate with what you have, and play music to get people excited for the upcoming day. If you can get someone to donate snacks and drinks, even better.