Grab your biggest candy bag, your most creative costume, and mark your calendar for Friday, October 25! Belvedere Senior Housing in Merrillville is hosting its annual Trunk-or-Treat for community members and residents alike, and this is an event you do not want to miss. Held from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the senior home’s spacious parking lot, the Trunk-or-Treat is expected to be a Northwest Indiana Halloween hit bigger than ever before, made complete with a DJ, delicious food, hot chocolate, a bounce house, and, of course, the tastiest candy to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
“We have a beautiful community here at Belvedere,” said Sales and Marketing Director Andrea Puente. “We have amazing residents who are also participating in handing out candy. We are providing free food, drinks, and entertainment, and it's great to just see a lot of people in their costumes.”
The Trunk-or-Treat is a very exciting time for Belvedere residents. As the event is open to the public, the residents love being able to engage with people outside their daily circles while creating heartwarming moments for everyone involved during the Halloween season. Many are already eagerly counting down the days to this month’s event, more than ready to get the party started.
“Our residents have told me they really enjoy having visitors come to their home,” Puente said. “The residents who participate help decorate and distribute candy, and they love taking part and meeting people of all ages.”
Puente also noted the event is just as fun for the staff who help bring it to life, and they are extremely excited to share the fun with the local community once again on an even bigger scale.
“I’m looking forward to creating such a fun experience for the attendees that they mark their calendar for next year,” Puente said. “We really hope to bring in more people this year and reach a broader audience so that more people are aware of this event.”
It’s been a lot of work putting such a big Trunk-or-Treat together, but the Belvedere team is thankful to have generous people and organizations helping out in many ways ahead of the big day. A few of these include Candy Provider Sponsors PACE and the Munster Chamber of Commerce, Albanese Candy, and NorthShore Health Centers, among many others. Additionally, the team is grateful to the individuals who help make this possible through their commitment to attend and participate, including Merrillville Patrol Commander Nick Berzac.
While the Trunk-or-Treat is just around the corner, there’s still plenty of time to pitch in and get involved! Belvedere is currently accepting donations for individually wrapped candy, and 100% of the donations will be distributed during the event. Those interested in donating are welcome to contact Puente at 219-501-1214 or deliver the candy directly to the senior house, located at 343 E. 90th Drive in Merrillville. For those dropping off candy in-person, please include your business card with your donation; the team is always super grateful for donors and want to show appreciation for each and every one through specialized Facebook posts for all who contribute.
Additionally, don’t forget to share the Trunk-or-Treat’s Facebook event page to spread the word, and invite all of your family and friends! From some tasty treats to quality camaraderie to a fun change in pace on a Friday afternoon, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this Halloween event, so be sure to spread the word far and wide about this “spook-tacular” time.
For more information on Belvedere Senior Housing, please visit its website here.