Zaniyah Glenn, dressed up as Mini Mouse, picks up her candy Sunday during Trunk-or-Treat at Wal-Mart in White Hall.
WHITE HALL, W.Va. — Area children had a safe place to go trick-or-treating Sunday during the annual Trunk-or-Treat event held in the Wal-Mart parking lot.
While children’s faces were filled with excitement, residents were also supporting the efforts of the Children’s Miracle Network and WVU Medicine Children’s, with all proceeds benefiting the hospital’s sick or injured children.
“It is a fun, safe environment,” Lora Edgell, Children’s Miracle Network director for WVU Medicine Children’s, said about Sunday’s event. “Kids can come out and enjoy getting some treats, and then it is a win-win situation because we are also raising money for the children’s hospital.
Serena Silvaggio said she participated for two reasons.
“One is it benefits children’s hospital, and second is my granddaughter lives here in Fairmont,” she said. “I like the idea that they have a safe place to trick-or-treat.”
Wal-Mart, a Children’s Miracle Network partner, holds several events in its parking lot to benefit the children’s hospital.
“The money here is raised through Wal-Mart, and then it comes back to us through the Children’s Miracle Network,” Edgell said. “We are the only Children’s Miracle Network hospital in the state of West Virginia.”
Edgell said the money raised does not go to one specific thing.
“(It goes to) whatever needs are the greatest, whether it be equipment, diapers, sippy cups, pajamas or any type of those expenses. You just never know,” she said.
Although Silvaggio wished more cars participated, she enjoyed seeing the kids have fun.
“All the kids were dressed up and everybody was happy,” she said. “Everybody was just in such a good mood.”
“We had a good turnout, the weather was beautiful, we couldn’t have asked for a better day, and it is raising money for sick kids, so you can’t get any better than that,” Edgell said.
Edgell’s favorite part was seeing the kids and their smiles.
“I tried to talk to every kid, say hi to them and just make it fun for them,” she said.
Email Kelsie LeRose at [email protected].
