Since my last blog about Halloween, I could have possibly changed my mind on the subject and activities of the October custom. I usually relate Halloween to 'adults' (and I use the term loosely) acting like juvenile delinquents and proverbially raising hell in an unruly manner. I also relate it to children going out trick or treating and enjoying the acquisition of some yummy sweets. I still do, but I have also softened up on 'Adult Halloween'.
This year, I spent Halloween with my long time friend Stacey Yarwood, her family, and her neighbourhood. I was part of an amazingly great time with a haunted house, trick or treating, a block party with DJ included and a fundraiser for BC Children's Hospital inspired by an amazing young man, Taylor Schoffenburg. Taylor is diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of muscular cancer, and it's treatable.
Shane and Stacey Yarwood, throw a Halloween party each and every year on their block with a full haunted house through the Yarwood front and back yards for the enjoyment and entertainment of Halloween goers. Each year, they also choose a different charity to benefit from the traffic that goes through their block party. This year, they chose the BC Children's Hospital and will donate the funds they raised in the name of their nephew, Taylor.
This year, they doubled the funds raised to nearly $1200. There were about 1200 trick or treaters and just about 1500 people in total going through their block and supporting their festivities. Truly amazing when you think about a short neighbourhood block could bring so much joy to so many people.
They also got some help from the Tim Horton's Community Cruiser to provide coffee, hot chocolate and Timbits for the passer-byers as part of the festivities. More importantly, Stacey and Shane's family units and friends combined forces to help out in any way they can to make this event the success it was last night. From all the brothers, sisters and in-laws dressing up to be a part of the haunted house, to taking kids around the block trick or treating, giving out candy, directing traffic, running the popcorn machine and donation bins and taking pictures.
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| Tim Horton`s Community Cruiser |
For the first time in a long time, I finally felt that Halloween could be fun, family oriented, and absolutely a wonderful way to share your causes with your communities.
This year, my family participated in volunteering, donating and enjoying the Yarwood's annual event. I will be the first to tell you all that Shane and Stacey Yarwood are amazing people. Even if I didn't know them as friends from my school days, it's not hard to tell how generous, kind-hearted, and inspiring the Yarwood family is. Anyone looking from the outside in could see that, no one needs me, who has known them for over 20 years, tell you that.
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| The Yarwood family, truly amazing people! |
So if your Halloween didn't seem so amazing or as fun this past one, there is always a great block out in Cloverdale on 190th street that will make you love your Halloween and will make you want to be a part of a wonderful event. I hope to see many of you at "Spooky Way" next year!
From the Left...
Justine Galo
See Spooky Way Album Here
