More than 200 University of Colorado at Boulder students are expected to "Trick or Treat for Charity" Oct. 31 through a program organized by the university's Volunteer Clearing House.
"It's a really fun way to make a difference," said Volunteer Clearing House director Anna Domenico. "Basically, it's a Halloween-themed food and clothing drive. CU students can do something good for the local community, get to know their neighbors, and have an excuse to get dressed up and trick or treat again."
Students form groups and register with the clearinghouse to trick or treat for canned goods and clothing in specific neighborhoods. The collected items will be given to Community Food Share in Longmont and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado.
"The students choose their neighborhoods," Domenico said. "We then provide them with flyers to post in that neighborhood the week before Halloween. This year, we plan to give special recognition to the group that brings in the most donations."
The Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, which last year collected about 400 pounds of food donations during the event, is hoping to help out even more this year. "This year we're hoping to get about 50 of our members to participate, and we'd like to collect 600 pounds of donations," said ZBT chapter president Devon Schad.
Last year, more than 100 students participated in the event, including members of ZBT and the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. Both groups will trick or treat again this year, along with groups from the Evans Scholars, Alternative Student Breaks, Live Journal, Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, Program Council and others. More than 1,000 pounds of food were collected for Community Food Share last year, and organizers expect more this year.
Since 1965, the CU-Boulder Volunteer Clearing House has connected students with community volunteering opportunities. For more information visit .