HOPE Landing’s annual Halloween event, Hope-o-ween, brought crowds of families who enjoyed food, costume contests, candy and many games for the children of HOPE Landing.
President and CEO of HOPE Landing, Kristi Lowery, said they received help for the event from volunteers and friends groups including the El Dorado Service League and the Union County 4-H program.
In preparation for Hope-o-ween, the El Dorado Service League held a candy drive on Oct. 17, where they received candy donations for the event at the El Dorado Fire Department.
“Hope-o-ween is one of our favorite events of the year and it’s a time that’s really special because some of our kids have never worn a Halloween costume,” Lowery said. “So just the preparation in therapy to getting them to be able to wear a hat or to put on a mask or to take a picture with a horse is very inspirational.”
Michallee Hall, a mother of a child that receives therapy at HOPE Landing, said they have been participating in Hope-o-ween every year since they started attending HOPE Landing.
“It always goes well,” Hall said. “By the time it’s over, everybody has fun and there’s never somebody that’s not smiling, so that’s really the point I think.”
Hall said HOPE Landing changed her family’s life completely when they began attending almost five years ago.
Her son, who is 14 years old, has begun making friends groups and was even working one of the booths at the Halloween event.
Hope-o-ween took place in HOPE Landing’s barn where children of all ages and family members played games including bobbing for apples, barrel races with stick horses, took photos with real horses, who were dressed up as well, plus much more.
Kaitlyn Rigdon can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].