What are you going to be this year? A witch? A pirate? A unicorn?

School-age children are asked this question every October. Children hear their classmates making plans for their night of dressing up and candy collecting. The truth is, not every child can buy or make a costume for themselves. This may seem like a minor concern for some, but the effects of being unable to partake in holiday festivities can have an impact on children’s social/emotional development. Peer acceptance, feeling like you are a part of something, is a large part of a child’s classroom experience. Maybe an even more important advantage of a child partaking in dressing up is the chance for parents to engage with their child in different activities.

“As a kid, holidays, traditions, celebrations in our communities are played out very much at school. While everyone is getting costumes and planning their family festivities, not being able to do that can make a kid feel like an outsider. The costume drive helps draw kids into the school and brings some joy to their lives. Teachers report to us that it lifts the atmosphere in the school. The drive gives parents a bit of relief as well. All-in-all, we believe this is connected to student achievement.” – Connie Sloan Cathcart, UWLC Executive Director

United Way of Laramie County puts on the Halloween Costume Drive each year to help each child enjoy the experiences that come along with dressing up for a night.

Want to help? Donate new or gently used costumes to the following locations ;

• Laramie County Library
• Laramie County Sheriff’s Department
• Laramie County Treasurer’s Office
• Trophy Creative
• ANB
• Jonah downtown
• Pink Gloves Boxing
• Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange, Story
• Jonah Bank, both locations
• #1 Properties, Yellowstone
• Wyoming Bank & Trust, Yellowstone
• Red Lion Hotel
• United Way
• Allstate Call Center, East Pershing Blvd
• Blue FCU East Branch (by King Soopers)