Students seeking costume donations for needy kids

Members of Carson High School's Health Occupations Students of America are joining this year with the leadership class at Pioneer High School to collect new or gently used costumes for children in need.

"You think about people needing food or clothing, but you don't really think about people being in need of costumes," said Emma Garcia, co-chairwoman of the costume committee. "But when you're a little kid, you want to dress up and go trick-or-treating. We thought it would be a really neat idea to help kids be able to enjoy Halloween."

Emma, 17, said adviser Shana Wilkens presented the idea to the HOSA club, and the members quickly agreed.

Upon further research, however, they learned that the district's alternative high school, Pioneer, had been hosting a similar drive for years. So the two clubs met up. "Rather than it being a competition, we decided to work together," Garcia said. "More like teaming up."

The drive runs through Oct. 19. Costumes can be dropped off at It's a Girl Thang, 1921 N. Carson St.; the Spirit Store in the Carson Mall; Pioneer High School, 225 E. Park St.; or Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman Road.

Donations will also be collected during Friday's football game at Carson High School. Organizers ask that costumes be placed in a sealed plastic bag labeled by gender and age.

Costumes will be distributed from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 in the north foyer of Carson High School and from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 24-27 in Room B3 of Pioneer High School.

"I'm really excited to be a part of this," said Emma. "I know I can help somebody out."