Ashland University sorority, Theta Phi Alpha, is hosting a “Spooky Spectacular Costume Drive” for children in shelters until Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.
The intent is to “donate old Halloween costumes for children in shelters so they can have a scary great Halloween,” according to the official flyer.
Theta Phi Alpha Vice President and Philanthropy Chair Saylor Starkey are heading the event and came up with the initial idea.
“A lot of times for other holidays children will get presents for Christmas, or you obviously do food drives for Thanksgiving,” Starkey said.
She then connected that holiday her brothers adored growing up was Halloween; however, not every child gets the luxury of celebrating the Holiday.
“Halloween is expensive,” Starkey said.
“You have to get candy; you have to get costumes. Almost everything you do for Halloween involves money and people in shelters obviously don’t have that kind of means to do that,” she added.
Thus, she decided to do something about the matter and begin the “Spooky Spectacular Costume Drive.” Saylor, and her sorority, are passionate about their philanthropy for hunger and homelessness. Although this isn’t the traditional route for aiding these issues, the sorority found a unique way to help during a time that’s often overlooked for children.
“I also realized a lot of people, a lot of peoples moms specifically, probably still have old Halloween costumes in the attic that they are just holding onto because you can’t really get rid of them unless you give them to someone else,” Starkey said.
Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Gabe Del Valle finds this costume drive is a cool spin on what they usually do while still ensuring the spirit of their values is still at the forefront.
Del Valle adds that “there’s a lot of things, especially at the local community, that doesn’t have much public awareness. How can they promote their own philanthropes and their good causes, but particularly to the student demographic.”
This drive not only aids in Theta Phi Alpha to help children but earn some awards at the end of the academic year for their good deeds.
“Each year [Theta Phi Alpha] has a different community service initiative,” Del Valle explained. Through each initiative, such as the costume drive, the sorority earns points that accumulate throughout the year that then factors into end of the year awards.
However, at the end of the day Saylor states she just wants the children to have a fun Halloween. “That’s what Halloween is about for kids. It’s really important for kids to just have those fun moments, especially kids going through a tough time.”
Once they receive the donations, old or new, they’ll be washing them before giving them to shelters such as, but not limited to, United Way of Ashland and the Salvation Army.
To help support the cause supporters can find donation boxes that will be placed throughout the Hawkins-Conrad Student Center located at 401 College Ave, Ashland, OH 44805 throughout the month of October.
