Local churches host activities

Local families looking for a safer way to celebrate All Hallows Eve will have the perfect place to do so Friday evening.

Actually, make that four perfect places.

ACTION Ministries’ annual Trunk or Treat event returns to the community on Halloween Night, during the regular trick or treating hours of 6-7 p.m. First United Methodist Church, Second Baptist Church, Federated Covenant Church and Michiana Church of Christ will be participating this year, with members of the community handing out candy from their vehicle’s trunks to children at each of the churches’ parking lots.

This is the fourth year that the ACTION ministry network has organized the Halloween event. The idea was first introduced in Dowagiac by Becky Peters, a member of First United Methodist Church, who wanted to provide a safer alternative for kids trick-or-treating, besides going door-to-door to homes across the neighborhood.

While it was first organized by Peters and other First United leaders, the event soon outgrew the church’s confines, forcing them to either relocate the event or expand.

“We got bigger and bigger, and we couldn’t do it all on our own,” Peters said. “So, we invited more churches, and soon the members of ACTION stepped in to help.”

On average, around 800 kids go Trunk or Treating every year in Dowagiac during the hour that it’s held, Peters said. Between eight and 20 volunteers show up to distribute candy at each location, including members of the Dowagiac Police and Fire departments, who come in their squad and fire engines. In addition, vehicles with True’s Towing & Recovery also participate in the evening.

“Kids like to see this kind of stuff, because it’s not something they see every day,” Peters said. “True’s decorates their trucks in a creepy or spooky way for the night. It’s very neat.”

Each location will also offer carnival-style games for children, with prizes handed out to winners, Peters said.

“It’s not just for the kids, as the parents come out as well,” she said. “The entire family has the chance to have fun together.”