They will be there with glittering eyes and smiles from ear to ear. They will be dressed as princesses, superheroes and ghosts.
There will be open trunks and cries of “Trick or treat!” as Alpha Delta Pi sorority hosts the third annual “Trunk-or-Treat” event Saturday, Oct. 30, at ETSU.
The Gamma Phi Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi will once again pack the ETSU student parking lot across Tennessee Street from McDonald’s full of cars complete with games, spooky decorations and bags of candy.
Sorority members will dress in costumes, station themselves and wait for the hundreds of children that will run to them with open bags and open hearts.
“Trunk-or-Treat” is presented each Halloween by Alpha Delta Pi in conjunction with the annual Walnut Street Trick-or-Treat. The “Trunk-or-Treat” event is for all children, especially those with special needs who might not be able to walk up and down stairs.
“The event provides a safe environment for children and their families who wish to trick or treat,” said Rebekah Meredith, Alpha Delta Pi president. “Because the event is held in one central location, children are not forced to cross streets and climb stairs. Also, it is easier for parents and guardians to keep an eye on their trick-or-treaters.”
This year’s event will be held on the final day of ETSU’s Homecoming festivities.
Fall Family Festival and an alumni event will be held on campus so there will be a lot going on for families and children, she said.
In 2002, the sorority initiated the “Trunk-or-Treat” program at ETSU. “Trunk-or-Treat allows us the opportunity to spend time together and do something to benefit the community,” Meredith said.
“Sponsoring the program has allowed us to actively see the benefits of our work. We see the excitement on the children’s faces and the difference it makes in their lives.”
Each year, all members of the sorority dress up in costumes and participate in the program.
“I had the opportunity to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat program last year and it was wonderful to see the smiles and what the event meant to some of these families,” said Kerry Rechel, Alpha Delta Pi spirit chair. “The event, because of the location of the cars is convenient and safe for all children, especially those with special needs.”
Last year, Alpha Xi Delta Sorority and Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity co-sponsored the event and the brothers and sisters still have warm memories. “It means a lot to see all the children having a great time in a safe environment,” said Jessica Cooper, Alpha Xi Delta vice president of membership.
Alpha Delta Pi is a nationally affiliated social and philanthropic sorority. The chapter hosts several activities throughout the year to support various charitable organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House, Alpha Delta Pi’s national philanthropy.
For more information on Trunk-or-Treat, call Deidre Yowell, Alpha Delta Pi Trunk-or-Treat chair, at 967-5034.

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