FALL RIVER: Six Lockview High students got into the Halloween spirit early last month as they tried to make it scarier for those less privileged.
Waverley sisters Keely and Bailey Lenihan; Savanna and Lucy Christmas; Sarah Murphy; and Courtney Browne all began a project called Treat it Forward. It’s aim was to collect Halloween costumes, clothing and makeup to be given to students less fortunate in the community so they too could enjoy the ‘spooktacular’ night.
“We were talking about doing a clothing drive in our Youth Action Team club,” said Keely, adding they couldn’t find a way to tie it in with what they were doing. “I said Halloween is coming up and some people wouldn’t be able to afford costumes so we should help them.”
That’s where the idea was spurred from—and a Google search that showed a school in Western Canada was also doing Treat it Forward with the same mindset. As of Oct. 19—with a deadline of Oct. 20—two car trunks full of bags have been collected by the Lockview students, with even the Lenihan’s elementary school, Waverley Memorial, pitching in.
Bailey said many high school students do enjoy dressing up for Halloween.
“We felt how sad it would be if other kids like us couldn’t enjoy it,” said the Grade 12 student. “It’s an expensive time of the year with school supplies last month and Christmas shopping coming up. A lot of people don’t have the money to worry about Halloween.
“We just wanted to help those people.”
Keely said Waverley Memorial has donated many bags to their cause, while there’s been a few bags from students at Lockview.
Bailey said the main objective for her doing Treat it Forward is bringing awareness to issues of poverty and that it does indeed exist, even in an area like Fall River.
“We want to help other students who are not as well off as we are,” she said.
“If it goes well like it is this year, we might be able to expand it to a couple of other elementary schools in the area next year,” said Keely. “Hopefully, we’ll help more students.”
