Children from the Athens community were able to trick or treat at 12 different Ohio University residence halls Monday night through the Residents’ Action Council-sponsored event, tRAC or Treat.
tRAC is an organization that teams up with residence halls to put on programs and activities while working closely with the hall council from each dorm.
The event took place in East and West Green residence halls with a few residents from South Green helping out, said Matthew Farmer, president of tRAC.
“Due to the huge block party on Halloween weekend, it takes Halloween away for some of the community, so this is our way of giving back to them,” Farmer said.
From 5 to 7 p.m. Monday night, children traveled between eight residence halls on East Green and four on West Green, participating in activities and games while OU students handed out candy.
“During tRAC or Treat this year, residence halls had activities such as face painting, pumpkin painting, costume contests, cookie decorating and other crafts as well as handing out candy,” Farmer said.
Jim Sand, assistant director for East Green Residential Housing and tRAC advisor, estimated that between 200 and 250 elementary and preschool-aged children and their families come to participate in tRAC or Treat each year.
Amber Altic, who studies marketing and lives in Gamertsfelder Hall, greeted children and handed out candy as they went into the hall.
“We had a witches’ booth, fortune teller and cookies for the kids,” she said.
Each participating residence hall council was given $50 for supplies for activities and candy from tRAC and was also able to use money from their hall council funds, Farmer said.
tRAC or Treat has been going on for about 15 years, he said.
“tRAC or Treat was started because there was a need to engage the university with the community, especially elementary aged children,” said Enrique Hermosilla, tRAC adviser.
Caleb Howell, who studies middle childhood education, handed out popcorn in front of Biddle Hall and said he enjoyed seeing the kids have fun.
“The kids have been so appreciative, and giving back to the community is awesome,” Howell said.
tRAC or Treat has become an annual event for community members. “Families look forward to this event every year,” Sand said.
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