Local organizations put out a call for candy

With Halloween around the corner, and the novel coronavirus still in full force, parents and children alike may be wondering what trick-or-treating will look like this year.
While in Braidwood, the city has made no official announcements about any changes to trick-or-treating, local organizations are coming together to provide a safe and fun way for children to still receive sweet treats.
The Braidwood Lions Club, Braidwood Knights of Columbus and Braidwood Area Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host a new and exciting event on Halloween, and they are looking for donations from local businesses to help make the event a success.
A family-friendly Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Old Smokey City Park. Event organizers are asking for assistance from the business community.
The organizations are seeking donations of bags of candy to be used to pass out to children as they are driven down a designated path in the park to trick-or-treat without having to leave their vehicles.
They are looking for small treat or snack-size pieces such as suckers, tootsie rolls, fun sized candy bars, etc. Monetary donations will also be accepted, which will be used to purchase candy for the event.
According to a letter being mailed to local businesses regarding the request, all donors will be recognized for their generosity in an online “thank you” which will be posted on social media as well as a thank you ad in the Braidwood Journal.
All donations would need to be received no later than Monday, Oct. 19.
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation, please contact Angie Hutton at 815-353-3053. Monetary donations may be made payable to the Braidwood Knights of Columbus #1574.
Fifty volunteers, age 16 or older, are also needed for the event. Those interested in volunteering should be available both Oct. 31 and the rain day of Nov. 1. To sign up, please contact the Braidwood Lions Club secretary Josh Bolatto at 815-791-8093, by email at BraidwoodLionsClub@yahoo.com or by sending a message to the Braidwood Lions Club Facebook page.
In April, the Braidwood Lions Club, Braidwood Knights of Columbus and Braidwood Park District worked together to host a similar event to hand out Easter baskets in a drive-thru fashion.
The event was a major success, with a line of cars so long that it wrapped through surrounding neighborhoods of Old Smokey City Park.
Volunteers passed out 460 Easter baskets full of candy, stuffed animals, snacks and Easter eggs.