Hundreds of families wrap around the block at the parking lot across from the Texas Behavioral Health Network. Many donned classic halloween costumes, like superheroes and princesses.
In the parking lot dozens of cars and volunteers wait to greet them for The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network’s annual Trunk or Treat event.
The organization hosts the event every year - but it’s only the second time community members were invited. It WAS held at their main office, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization decided to take the event outside.
Sydney Ivy is an Early Childhood Intervention Specialist with The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network. She helps organize the Trunk or Treat community outreach program each year.
"So last year was the first year we opened it to the public, not just Heart of Texas families, not just our staff, we opened it to other community partners," Ivy says.
She says they expect that to drive up attendance.
"And so this year, it looks like there's gonna be an even bigger turnout," she says
Ivy says many children at the Texas Behavioral Health Network have disabilities that limit their interactions with other kids.
"Events like this really help those families integrate into the community before school starts so they can feel a little bit more comfortable," she says.
Each year, the event adds a new theme. Ivy says this year, they added Toy Story and Pac-Man.
"And it really does help the kids because it's not forceful.They can walk up to any car they want to. If they really love Pac-Man and they see a Pac-Man car that's an immediate connection for them," she says. "So really it gives them the control of what they want to go to.
Myesha and her young daughter are first time attendees of the Trunk or Treat event. She found out about the event through a flier online and wanted to give her daughter the opportunity to socialize in their community.
"This is new for me, I don't really do this because I didn't grow up like that," she says. "My mom doesn't really do the halloween stuff but i wanted to give my own daughter a chance so she can see how it is”
With the event now over, The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network hopes that next year will be just as big and just as spooky for the Waco community.