EATON — The Preble County Board of Development Disabilities annual “Track-n-Treat” event continues to grow every year, according to Superintendent Bethany Schultz. The twist on “Trick-or-Treat” provides children of all abilities under the age of 10 a chance to dress up and collect candy safely.
The event was held at the A.S.K. playground on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
“This is the 10th year of hosting this event. It is a great way to invite all of the people we service — in addition to the community — to trick-or-treat in a safe environment,” Schultz explained. “On top of a safe environment, it is a nice level surface, so for people with any type of mobility issues or trouble walking we’ve provided a nice, clear path.”
In addition to the trick-or-treating aspect of the event, there are different activities and booths set up with the intention of introducing the community to the different services that are available to them.
Schultz said, “This event helps bring awareness to the different agencies that are here in Preble County. For example, it helps bring awareness to Preble County DD and the people we serve. This event also acts as a way for us to give back to the community that has supported us.”
This is actually the first year that the DD Board has partnered with other community members.
“The Nazarene church that is moving in here is one of our partners. The district library is also here doing crafts with the children. The ESC is also here partnering with us,” Schultz added.
While there were new partners, the groups who always help with the “Track-n-Treat” were there as well, including: CareSource, Eaton Police Department, Preble County Sheriff Department, City of Eaton Fire and EMS Division, and Safari Junction.
The board also had a record amount of candy donated.
“All of the FFAs from the schools had a competition to see who could bring the most candy. They did a great job in doing that. They are also here volunteering. We also had Carla Barnett from Sharps Out of Parks out here before the event to clean the park and make sure it is completely safe,” Schultz said.
“The turn out for Track-n-Treat is always huge, just like it is this year. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I think we have more this year. We separated the different booths and put more room between everything this year so it wasn’t so close together.”
In Schultz’ opinion, the event is popular with the community because it creates a sense of togetherness.
“An event like this is important because it brings us all together. It recognizes that we are all here together doing something fun with one another. It is no cost to the community and it brings everybody together no matter who you are. We are all just people here having fun.”
