Halloween haunts seek to feed food bank

‘We just want people to come and enjoy the display and maybe have an escape’

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Transcona neighbours are scaring up donations for their local food bank.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/10/2023 (717 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Transcona neighbours are scaring up donations for their local food bank.

Carol Cassell is the organizer of Halloween Haunts for the Transcona Food Bank, a new initiative that includes nine of the neighbourhood’s most-decorated homes.

The neighbours are inviting visitors to leave non-perishable items for families in need. Each participating home has a sign on its lawn listing the addresses of the other residences.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Crystal and Jonathan Lloyd have set up their annual Halloween display, which has taken over the couple’s yard and also the inside of their garage.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Crystal and Jonathan Lloyd have set up their annual Halloween display, which has taken over the couple’s yard and also the inside of their garage.

“I thought having a sign printed out, laminated and put in people’s yards would let (visitors) know not only about the food collection, but that there are these other really great decorated houses in Transcona that they can go out and enjoy,” says Cassell, who lives at 15 Minikada Bay.

A lifelong Halloween lover, Cassell is the creator of the Winnipeg Halloween Map (mapping-winnipeg.com), a Google Map where each pin designates a decked-out house.

Volunteer opportunities

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, please contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can assist you in finding an opportunity. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.

Skate Canada Manitoba needs help with the Skate Canada Challenge, a junior/senior competition taking place from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3. Volunteer duties available include general, venue operations, hotel and registration and transportation. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old by March 5. Specific skills are required for each position, and all details can be found on the volunteer signup page. A background in figure skating and knowledge of the sport would be an asset, as well as excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. The ability to handle sensitive information and work in a fast-paced environment is crucial. A typical volunteer day will be six to eight hours, including breaks. The minimum requested volunteer commitment is 16 hours during the competition. Apply online at http://wfp.to/6Eg by Nov. 6.

Canadian Black Artists United needs a web designer with experience in search engine optimization to update its website and teach basic web design and coding to youth. The ideal candidate should have Photoshop skills, be friendly and have the ability to work independently or with minimum supervision. The volunteer should be versatile and able to help in other areas of the institution, and demonstrate excellent spoken English and writing skills.. The time commitment is about four hours a week, with a mix of evening and weekend times availability, and opportunities for micro-volunteering throughout the year. Email a short cover letter and resumé to cf@creativefoundation.org by Nov. 8.

NorWest Co-op Community Health needs volunteer community resource navigators to help create a warm and welcoming environment. Volunteers help identify the needs of residents and connect them with appropriate services, as well as respond to questions and provide basic information about programs and services. Volunteers work alongside staff members to help with unclear community needs, safety and problem solving, provide basic technological support, assist with program promotion, community surveys and information gathering. The time commitment is one or two days a week for three to four hours per shift (preferably in the middle of the day). Email ckehler2@norwestcoop.ca or phone 431-276-1167 by Nov. 10.

Volunteers are needed for the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 18. Apply at http://wfp.to/6EE by Nov. 17.

Life’s Journey Inc. needs volunteers to join its board of directors. Life’s Journey is committed to maintaining a strong board of highly ethical and engaged people who are dedicated to the organization’s mission. Board members are responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing operations and are expected to participate in committee activities and attend meetings. Volunteers with a variety of skills and experiences are needed. The non-profit social services agency is committed to achieving a representative board that includes women, Indigenous people,Métis & Inuit people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. Email g.wyllie@lifesjourneyinc.ca by Nov. 30.

The Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corp. is looking for people who love to help others and are willing to brave the cold. Volunteers are needed to help clear snow off sidewalks and private driveways for people who might not be able to do it themselves. Opportunities are available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers must be able to clear snow using a shovel or snowblower, able to lift at least 20 pounds and work in cold conditions. Email rec@chalmersrenewal.org or call 204-669-0750 by Dec. 1.

The Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency needs friendly and reliable people to join its team of visitation monitors. Monitors supervise on-site visitations between non-custodial parties and their children. This opportunity is suitable for students in social work, criminal justice, law enforcement, family conciliation or mediation services. Criminal record and child abuse registry check are required (costs will be reimbursed). Volunteers are required to attend three evening training sessions and be available to fill three shifts a month (one Saturday or Sunday per month is required), for a minimum of 12 months. A shift is 3.5 hours in length and might be scheduled on a weeknight or during the day on weekends. The volunteer schedule is set well in advance of each month. Email volunteers@wcaa.ca, call 204-284-4170 or apply online at http://wfp.to/6Ef by Dec. 31.

OCD Centre Manitoba and Canadian Mental Health Association Manitoba and Winnipeg need volunteer group facilitators. The facilitator will lead groups for people experiencing obsessive-compulsive or hoarding disorders, providing support and guidance as they work toward recovery. The volunteer will have the opportunity to teach cognitive behavioural therapy skills, prepare discussion topics, and help group members set goals. No prior leadership or coaching skills are necessary because training will be provided. This is a remote volunteering opportunity, with various weekday evenings available. Volunteers are expected to commit to at least one night per month, with groups lasting 1.5 hours each. Email smartin@cmhawpg.mb.ca by Dec. 31.

The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. When disaster strikes, you can help, and the Red Cross can show you how. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.

She also moderates a Facebook group with the same name, where people discuss local events and attractions related to the spine-chilling season.

When Cassell approached Crystal and Jonathan Lloyd about getting involved with the food drive, the couple saw it as an opportunity to add a fundraising element to their display.

The Lloyds have decorated their house for more than 10 years. This year, their lawn (178 Audette Dr.) features two giant skeletons, a tall witch, an eight-foot dinosaur skeleton and a full-sized horse skeleton.

Meanwhile, in their garage — which visitors are invited to walk through — it’s a toxic wasteland, complete with actors in hazmat suits and metal barrels leaking glowing sludge.

“We just want people to come and enjoy the display and maybe have an escape,” says Crystal Lloyd, adding people of all ages are invited.

“We don’t discriminate at our haunt,” she says. “If you’re six or 60 or 100, for that matter, and you’re here and you want to check it out and be a kid for a night, you’re welcome. We give out treats to whoever says ‘trick or treat.’”

In addition to inviting people to donate to the Transcona Food Bank, the signs Cassell printed list two homes collecting for other causes.

One of those is Anna Howard’s Harry Potter-themed house (1137 Devonshire Dr. W.), which includes Fluffy the three-headed dog, quidditch paraphernalia and a life-sized cutout of antihero Severus Snape.

People who visit the Howards are invited to make a donation to the Grace Science Foundation, which is working to find a cure for NGLY1 deficiency.

Howard’s eight-year-old daughter, Willow, lives with the rare genetic disorder. It’s believed fewer than 100 people worldwide have been diagnosed with it.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                The Lloyds have decorated their house for more than 10 years. This year, their lawn features two giant skeletons, a tall witch, an eight-foot dinosaur skeleton and a full-sized horse skeleton.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Lloyds have decorated their house for more than 10 years. This year, their lawn features two giant skeletons, a tall witch, an eight-foot dinosaur skeleton and a full-sized horse skeleton.

The Howards ramped up their decorating efforts in 2018, when they started collecting donations for the foundation. They have since raised more than $7,500.

“We’ve always (found) a lot of joy in spreading happiness in the community,” Anna Howard says. “If we’re going to go big on looking for a cure, why don’t we go big on Halloween and spreading joy to people?”

The Howards create a Harry Potter-themed display every other year because of the magical franchise’s intergenerational appeal.

Howard appreciates something Harry’s mentor, Prof. Dumbledore, says in the series: “Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it.”

“Isn’t that beautiful?” she says. “What a nice correlation to what we’re doing here.”

Halloween Haunts for the Transcona Food Bank is collecting donations until trick-or-treating ends Tuesday night.

The Howards are collecting donations at their home until Saturday. People also have the option of donating online until 7 p.m. Tuesday at http://wfp.to/6Ea.

If you know a special volunteer, email aaron.epp@gmail.com

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca

Aaron Epp

Aaron Epp
Reporter

Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.

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