The UNMC College of Dentistry and the Student Alliance for People of All Abilities hosted an accessible “trunk or treat” event for Lincoln families on Oct. 18 at the college’s parking lot on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.
Thirteen groups decorated trunks for the event, which drew approximately 150 families – 50% to 100% more than expected, according to Bailey Christensen, a D2 dental student and one of the organizers from SAPA.
Community and college organizations and agencies such as the Christian Dental Association, Student American Dental Hygienist Association and the Lincoln Police Department attended.
“We were fortunate to have organizations, such as Josh the Otter (a childhood water safety organization), donate extra candy and stickers,” Christensen said. “Without community donations, we would’ve blown through our candy due to the shocking turnout.
“We are grateful not only for the participants, but also the support of students within the school and community who donated treats for our event.”
The event was the sixth annual “Trunk or Treat” that SAPA has hosted at the UNMC College of Dentistry, Christensen said.
“Our event was created for those who need it most, the children or adults who are not able to experience trick-or-treating due to accessibility or mobility concerns,” she said. “We place a focus on minimizing sensory overload and maximizing accessibility so everyone can enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes and going back home with a bag full of sweets.”
Groups such as the Christian Dental Association, represented by UNMC students Katelyn Le, Kate Swan, McKenzie Bietz, Rachel Hatch, Katie Ligocki and Raigan Kocian came out to support the event.