SALISBURY, N.C. — The evening barely started, but the parade of costumes into Brookdale Salisbury had already begun. There were princesses, witches, and superheroes, and they were all there for candy and the feeling of community.
The senior residents of the Brookdale assisted living facility greeted each trick-or-treater with a smile and a Halloween treat for their candy bag, a heart-warming culmination of a month of planning for the Halloween bonanza.
Heather Powers, an event organizer, said staff and residents wanted to go all out this holiday, after having to temper community interactions the last few years due to the coronavirus.
"We wanted to make it extra special," Powers said. "So, the residents could participate and enjoy all the costumes and the children being dressed up."
Several weeks back, Brookdale Salisbury started advertising its call for trick-or-treaters, including a Facebook post showcasing a candy motherlode and signs that read "We need... Trick or treaters." That post was shared more than 3,200 times, with several people commenting excitedly they would bring their children to the event.
"We put out flyers," Powers said. "We put it on social media. The residents have spread the word. Their families have spread the word. Staff have spread the word."
Powers said the home's residents made more than 3,000 treat bags to hand out to the community's children, with more candy on hand for their visitors. Watching the kids stream down the halls all dressed up made the effort pay off.
"The residents are super excited about it," Powers said.