Welcoming families to enjoy Halloween as a community, Augusta University’s Student Life and Engagement (SLE) partnered with several student organizations to host a friendly trunk-or-treat on Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Christenberry Fieldhouse from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Prior to the university’s volleyball game, children 13 and under were invited to dress up and take part in the festivities in the fieldhouse’s parking lot at 3109 Wrightsboro Road.
Featuring games, candy, snacks and more, all in attendance were also given free admission to attend the college’s volleyball game against Georgia College.
Despite the chilly weather and light rain, many families attended the 4th annual trunk-or-treat and smiled as children collected sweet treats and posed for photos with dressed up students.
Students who volunteered to participate in the event included a handful of Greek Life fraternities and sororities, various social clubs, the AU Police Department and a few university programs.
Lead organizer of the event Tionna Thornton, SLE Coordinator of Student Involvement for Civic Engagement, said the trunk-or-treat was still a relatively new tradition the university is trying to continue in order to start creating a well established legacy within the community.
“We wanted to do this because it’s not only important for students to get a degree, but to also learn to get involved in the community,” she said. “This is our favorite event to do and our students really show out for the children.”
Also in attendance was the university mascot, Augustus, and the newly crowned Mr. and Miss Augusta University – Cameron Sapp and Eboni Watts – who made their rounds at the event shaking hands and taking photos with families and students.
“This is one of our events where we go out into the community and really try to connect with each other. We, for the most part, stay where we’re at and this is inviting the community in while also treating their kids,” said Sapp.
Sapp said the event also had a sense of nostalgia as it reminded students of their own childhood during a time when they are stepping into adulthood.
“This brings us back to childhood and shows us the joys of life,” he said. “My favorite part is giving the kids the candy and the way they light up when it hits their bag. It makes the whole thing special.”
In addition to encouraging community connections, Thornton said the event also doubles as a uniquely engaging event for nontraditional students who are parents.
“It’s a community for all of them. It’s not just closed off to typical college age students,” she said.
For Dana Dorr, a nontraditional student and mom, events such as trunk-or-treat allows different types of students of various ages to enjoy holidays together.
“Nontraditional students might feel like they don’t have anything for them because they have to go home to their kids, so this is something for us to engage in,” she said. “So, for this to happen means we can bring our kids on campus and not feel it’s a bother.”
Volunteering student Amaya Sommer said her sorority, the Mu Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Inc., wanted to contribute to the family-friendly event to raise local morale.
“We just wanted to give back to the community and show our support to everyone around us, and spread some fun and cheer this Halloween,” said Sommer. “I think it’s important because college students are going to the next ones to go out into the world and provide for those around us, so this is a good place to start giving back.”
Through engagement and more personal interactions, Thornton said she hopes young kids attending the Halloween event go home with a strong feeling of happiness as they learn to view AU students as community role models.
“I want the kids to look up to and see themselves as college students,” she said. “I want them to be able to picture themselves in that student position – whether that be in Greek life or as an athlete.”
