Shelter transforms into neighborhood street for kids’ Halloween
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What are just simple hallways at the Austin Children’s Shelter now will soon turn into a neighborhood street, perfect for some old-fashioned trick-or-treating.
YNN is partnering with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office to help some special children at the Austin Children’s Shelter. The sheriff’s Explorer program helps kids who can’t trick-or-treat in neighborhoods get the Halloween experience, and of course, the candy.
The neighborhood experience — complete with plenty of ghoulish decorations and haunting décor — is created in the halls of the Austin Children’s Shelter.
"When they transform this building, they turn it into a pretend neighborhood because the kids at the shelter cannot go out into the neighborhood and trick or treat like other kids get to do," Derrick Taylor with the sheriff’s office said. "It's hard to describe, but just think of a white canvass with nothing on it, and get about five, six or three-year-olds with paint and imagine what that looks like afterwards, but in a pretty way."
The Travis County Sheriff’s Explorers are youngsters who hope to lead careers in law enforcement, firefighting, paramedics or other civil service jobs.
This project for the kids helps many realize the importance of that civil service.
"They're really excited about this whole thing,” Travis County Explorers Post 1099 Captain Sem Tristin said. “Just knowing they're making one other kid smile, that they're going to be happy for at least one day or a couple hours, it really makes our day."
If you'd like to help, bring your candy, costume or monetary donation to the Travis County Sheriff's Office Oct. 15 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5555 Airport Boulevard. Questions can be directed to Deputy Derrick Taylor at (512) 854-4315.