Community celebrates Halloween season

By Garrett Ammesmaki,

Editor

Over 900 members of the Tea community came out October 22 to celebrate this year’s Halloween season with the annual Trunk or Treat at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Tea.

54 trunks from local businesses were overflowing with candy. Businesses included Zooks, Lil Friends Daycare, BRIGHT Foundations, Howe Electric and more.

Ashley Anderson has been organizing the Trunk or Treat since 2019, and said this is the biggest one she’s seen as far as trunk count. Their biggest year for chidren count was 1,300 back in 2018.

“The tea community and how they come together is awesome,” said Anderson. “It’s just amazing how every event that Tea holds has such a big turn out. The community is just amazing.”

She starts planning for Trunk or Treat in July, reaching out to businesses and gathering volunteers.

This year, they had at least 20 local volunteers helping with concessions, the bake sale, cleaning and taking free-will donations at the entrance.

Trunk or Treat made over $3,000 in donations this year between concessions, bake sales and free-will donations. It will cover the cost of the event. The $480 raised from the bake sale will be given to Tea Area Angel Tree. The money for Angel Tree will allow underpriviledged kids to receive Christmas presents.

This is the 14th year of the Trunk or Treat.

“I’m thankful for every year I’ve gotten to do this,” said Anderson. “It’s an honor to organize the event and see its success.”