Jesse, Amy, and Jackie Lothamer enjoyed gathering candy from all of the volunteers who came to help spread Halloween joy.
On Wednesday, October 22, St. Louis Center held its annual Trunk or Treat event. Although the weather was a bit chilly and wet, the event was an amazing success! We had a ton of community members bring fully decorated trunks, ready to hand out lots of candy.
As a St. Louis Center employee, I think the event was very successful, but not necessarily because of the number of trunks or how big the crowd was (around 400 people). While those are both great measurements of event success, I think this event made an impact in an unexpected way. Trunk or Treat presents a unique opportunity to bring people together; people from different lifestyles, religions, and creeds, all coming together to share an evening of fun. Who better to teach and remind me of this crucial life lesson than a visiting group of children?
Leading up to the event, as part of the event committee, I was largely concerned with the logistical side of things; handling volunteers, preparing printed materials, and stuffing candy goodie bags for the development table. While I was thankful to hear that my pastor father was bringing nine children from his church, my excitement was secondary to the long “to-do” list I had to complete in order for the event to run smoothly. The setup of each trunk was going well, and for the first hour, I was happy to pass out candy to the excited kids and residents coming to the Development Department’s table. After my father’s group arrived and had gone around to each of the trunks, I took a break to join them inside for dinner.
Once inside, while waiting for several of the kids in the restroom, one young man, Anthony, 7 years old, asked me how long I had worked here. I told him this was my second year, and he abruptly followed it up with a question I still remember today: “I heard you got some odd people here?”
Anthony’s bluntness caught me off guard, but, as it is with most questions from children, there was no ill intention to it. At that moment, I was reminded that these children, many of whom have lived their whole lives in inner-city Detroit, have had little to no experience with individuals like our residents. I smiled at little Anthony and explained, “We do have some people here that may seem a little different than you. They might sound or look a little different, but they are very nice and I think you’ll be surprised at how much they have in common with you and me.” Seemingly satisfied with my response,
Albert (left) and Joe had a great time greeting community members during the Trunk or Treat.
Anthony was happy to show me his favorite candy bar he’d received and then run off towards the cider and donuts with his brother.
As we continued on from station to station, our group settled in the cafeteria, enjoying the free food. Luckily, my fiancé and another friend were there to help the nine children carry plates and keep relatively clean. The kids were having a blast, feeling energized and free to roam in a safe environment. As dinner finished up, I asked my dad if I could introduce the kids to a friend of mine. I led the single-file line of elementary-aged kids to meet our resident Albert in his “Monsters Inc.” costume and cowboy hat.
If you don’t know Albert, you ought to. Bert is a complete ray of sunshine and is always excited to see and meet new people. “Bert, I’d like you to meet some people,” I said before he immediately started shaking each of the children’s hands, firmly and sincerely. While some of the children may have been more timid than others, they each greeted Albert with a smile.
That moment, and many more like it, made this event a success. The group would go on to make crafts and scream in the haunted house, but in that moment, two worlds came together to create something beautiful. Not only is human connection more important than ever, but this is also a pivotal moment in how we teach the next generation about people with disabilities. We have the opportunity, and the duty, to teach the younger generations to love and respect our neighbors. Leading by example is a great way to start.
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
