{"id":127479,"date":"2025-11-06T13:13:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T19:13:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=127479"},"modified":"2025-11-11T11:23:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:23:30","slug":"trick-or-treat-event-draws-largest-crowd-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/11\/06\/trick-or-treat-event-draws-largest-crowd-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"Trick-or-Treat event draws largest crowd yet"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Elianna Mendoza hoped to fill her bucket with chocolate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile her younger brother Adrian was after fruit snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dressed as Angel and Stitch from Disney\u2019s \u201cLilo & Stitch\u201d franchise, the siblings meandered through the first floor of the Munroe-Meyer Institute during the institute\u2019s annual Trick or Treat event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the Mendoza family\u2019s second time at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elianna, 5, has cerebral palsy. Mom Chanse Mendoza said it\u2019s nice to be at an event where her daughter doesn\u2019t garner stares. It also gives her a chance to practice using her right arm by opening and extending her treat bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe\u2019s really shy,\u201d Mendoza said of her daughter. \u201cIt\u2019s nice letting her see other people wearing boots or braces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Elianna and Adrian approached tables brimming with sweet treats and trinkets, Dad Fredy Mendoza offered reminders to say \u201cthank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, in its eighth year, drew its largest crowd ever with nearly 750 guests. At times, a line of costumed kiddos \u2014 and some adults \u2014 snaked around the sidewalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The Munroe-Meyer Institute’s annual trick-or-treat event drew nearly 750 guests. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHalloween is a time of joy, imagination, and community \u2014 but for many families living with a disability, traditional trick-or-treat experiences can be filled with barriers rather than treats,\u201d said Melonie Welsh, associate dean of community engagement. \u201cThat\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to create a family-centered, judgment-free, welcoming and safe Halloween event that celebrates every child and caregiver, regardless of ability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kassie Kromka usually takes her 5-year-old daughter Halen to trunk-or-treat events. She learned about MMI\u2019s event through her daughter\u2019s school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kromka said it\u2019s a nice, safe event. Halen, who sported a colorful unicorn costume, thought it would be good practice for trick-or-treating on Halloween. She hoped to leave with a full bucket.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Trick-or-treaters collect goodies from one of nearly 40 booths set up around the institute. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Inside, the crowd included several costumed Winnie the Poohs, a few Little Mermaids and even a claw machine. Princesses, clowns, firefighters and Little Red Riding Hood collected candy and small toys from more than 100 volunteers at nearly 40 booths spread through the first floor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volunteers went all out, too, with themed booths and costumes. Outside of the first-floor conference rooms were booths decorated as Cookie Monster and a barn complete with farmers. Other festive booths decorated the gym, including set ups straight from Candyland and \u201cToy Story.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The event, in its eighth year, drew its largest crowd ever with nearly 750 guests. 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