Kindness shines in Port Hope during Halloween

Program staff Rylee Speake is seen here with baskets of Halloween-themed gifts that 12 local youth helped to put together to be delivered to area long-term care homes, retirement residences, and families in need. /Tim Burgess photo

By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt

Port Hope has been marking the spooky season in style – and adding in a dash of kindness.

Last week, youth volunteers rallied for the “Halloween Community Kindness Project” to help spread some Halloween-inspired cheer.

Activities included everything from carving and decorating pumpkins to making seasonal cards, treats and activity kits with these “Halloween-themed care packages” being delivered to area long-term homes, retirement residences, shelters and families in need, explained the municipality.

The goal was to combine creativity, kindness and community connection, all the while brightening someone else’s day.

Program staffer Rylee Speake told the Independent 12 teens signed up and dedicated their time last Friday night at Town Park Recreation Centre for the project.

Program staff Rylee Speake is seen here with one of the many carved out pumpkins youth made through the ‘Halloween Community Kindness Project.’ /Tim Burgess photo

The next day, the municipality also hosted “Spooktacular,” offering families the chance to take part in all kinds of seasonal activities and give their costumes a test drive. Again, youth volunteers helped out for the day, overseeing crafts, games and the like, along with setup and takedown.

Leading up to Halloween, there was also a costume donation drive, with the goal of helping to make Halloween more affordable and accessible for local families. Port Hope officials also expressed hopes this would reduce waste and ultimately support a more sustainable community.

This initiative started back in mid-September.

And the fun isn’t over just yet.

This Friday, Oct. 30, the downtown will be overrun with all kinds of superheroes, monsters and creatures with the return of the HBIA’s popular Downtown Port Hope Trick-or-Treat event from 5 to 7 p.m. (Organizers are asking folks to keep their furry friends at home and obey all road signs and safety officials in the area.)

According to the Port Hope Heritage Business Improvement Area, the Haunting of Lessard Manor will also be open this year, offering people a chance to swing by and see “this amazing local haunted house.”

For youth, there’s also the Friday Night Trivia Challenge happening at the Town Park Rec Centre during the evening. (However, this event did call for early registration and more details are available via PortHope.ca.)