Special needs Halloween Bash

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Crane
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  For some, Halloween isn't about ghouls and goblins, but cartoons and fairytales instead.

The Airmen and Family Readiness Center held a special needs Halloween bash Oct. 27 at Travis for families who may not have the availability or ability to trick-or-treat on Halloween night.

The AFRC was transformed into a house of wonder rather than a house of horror. With children going door-to-door inside, receiving candy from volunteers, hiding behind decorated office doors, dressed as different recognizable characters like Superman and Indiana Jones. On top of all the candy being handed out, just outside the AFRC bright orange cones blocked off a portion of the parking lot all the way around for a hayride, provided by Balfour Beatty and Lawnmasters, for the children and parents.

Sue Tonarelli, AFRC exceptional family member program coordinator, was one of the volunteers helping to ensure the children and parents enjoyed themselves.

From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. more than 100 children and parents stopped by the AFRC, Tonarelli said.

Tonarelli said some children react differently to certain environments and the efforts of the AFRC were to ensure safety and a friendly environment for all who stopped by.

"We wanted the environment to feel secure and safe and part of that was ensuring there was nothing around to scare the children," Tonarelli said. "At one point a strobe light was bothering a child and we made sure to turn it off as soon as we found out."

"It's about more than just the candy, it's about the families and the connections they make," Tonarelli said.

Tonarelli said that it's easier for families going through certain things when they are surrounded by families dealing with similar issues.

Tonarelli said this was just one example of what the AFRC does for families and that the year isn't over.

"It feels good seeing the smiles on the children's faces," Tonarelli said. "It lets everyone here know that what we're doing is getting through and these children and their parents will know we're here for them."