By Allen Brewer

EAGLE Contributor

While some may dress like superheroes on Halloween, you can be a real hero by becoming a volunteer.

The Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi, Inc., is looking for groups to volunteer for their 15th annual Halloween Spooktacular Safestop which will be located on the Lafayette County Courthouse lawn on Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. Volunteers will be hosting activities to spread holiday cheer while raising awareness for child abuse and safety.

“This is a free event for the community,” Angie Hankins, Violence Prevention Coordinator and the event coordinator for Spooktacular Safestop, said. “There will be plenty of information, games, prizes, candy and costumes for children. We also provide resource information to the community offered by each agency and service that provide for child abuse prevention.”

Volunteers can sponsor a game of their choosing such as face painting, sack-racing or pumpkin bowling. Groups are asked to provide the materials for the activity including the signs, tables and prizes. Volunteers can also dress up in child-friendly costumes for the event.

For those that cannot donate their time, donations of money, candy and gently used costumes will be accepted. The costumes will go to children who are unable to buy their own.

Groups such as Mu Rho, the Ole Miss chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, have donated several boxes of candy to go toward the event. The Great American Cookie Company has also donated around 300 cookies.

“Many families do not get to participate in Halloween because candy and costumes are expensive,” Kirby Rhodes, president of the Ole Miss chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma, said. “Our organization believes that every child deserves to enjoy Halloween and that is why we chose to donate candy.”

“The more the community gives to help out at this event the more it assures these kids will be in a safe environment,” Mary Margaret Chasse, program assistant, said.

For those interested in volunteering or donating, contact the Oxford Family Crisis Service at office.fcsoxford@gmail.com or call 234-9929 by Oct. 30.