Missouri Southern State University provided a safe and inclusive trick-or-treating experience for local families during its “Safe Halloween” event on Oct. 31. The event, that was free for all ages, provided a fun environment for children to celebrate Halloween.

According to MSSU student Saanvi Kohli, who helped organize the event, the event is an essential part of the university’s community service mission.

“The privilege of trick-or-treating in safe areas is not always possible for these young children,” Kohli said. “As a public institution, being able to spread the joy of spending Halloween not worrying about safety… is what, I believe, community service is.”

Kohli deemed the event a success, noting that the goal was to ensure every child left happy. “Children walked away with a smile on their face, and a case full of treats,” she said.

The event featured numerous stations where children could participate in mini-activities to “earn” their candy. Kohli said she hopes the event sent a powerful message of inclusion.

“I hope that these children took away from this event trick-or-treating is for everyone; no matter what type of community, complex, or park you live in,” Kohli said.

For organizers, several personal interactions highlighted the event’s success.

“My favorite moment from this event was definitely helping at the ghost station,” Kohli said. “There was a little inflatable ghost that many of the kids would hit and play peekaboo with. It was so great to see the kids so happy and look at their costumes.”

For everyone who attended, this year’s Safe Halloween was a success and helped bring the MSSU and Joplin community together. For more information on upcoming events such as this, contact the MSSU Student Activities Office.