From 5 to 7 p.m., participants went door-to-door in Urbana and Savoy asking for change. This year marks the third annual Trick-or-Treat for Change fundraiser.
As stated on the Habitat website, the Registered Student Organization’s mission is “to end substandard housing in partnership with the campus, local and global communities by connecting with families, educating, building and fundraising.”
Allison Kerr, senior in LAS, fundraising chair and event coordinator, said the RSO has sponsored eight home builds in Champaign County since its creation in 1992.
The construction for the ninth home build begins in April 2011.
The proceeds from this event will go toward the tenth home build, which “will hopefully begin in the following academic year,” David Schnitzler, junior in Business and vice president of the RSO, said.
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It costs approximately $70,000 to sponsor a home, but Schnitzler said the organization is well on the way to this goal.
Schnitzler, who was one of the volunteers, said participants often wear their own costumes — he dressed up as Waldo — and are provided with hard hats if they are not wearing a costume “so that everyone can get in the Halloween spirit.”
Schnitzler also said this was his second year participating in Trick-or-Treat for Change.
A former Habitat for Humanity member came up with the idea for the event after hearing of its success at Illinois State University.
Kerr said the chapter’s goal is to “grow the event every year.”
Groups of four were assigned to a specific area in which to trick-or-treat.
After going to each house in that area, they were driven back to Newman Hall on campus to turn in their donations.
The final amount collected is not yet available, but Kerr said beforehand the organization hoped to make at least $2,000.
During the year, the RSO holds several other fundraising events including an annual 5K race and a comedy show to be held the weekend of Nov. 12.
However, since this event draws volunteers from the entire campus and not just those involved with Habitat for Humanity, Schnitzler said this is one of their largest events.
“Habitat is a great cause,” he said. “With every dollar I raise … I am making a real difference in the life of a really well-deserving family.”
