Written by Anabel Munoz
The Candyland board game came to life for hundreds of children Halloween night at Alpha Chi’s annual trick-or-treating community outreach.
Each floor in Alpha was decorated like a different character from the Candyland game like Gramma Nutt, Lolly, Mr. Mint, Jolly, Princess Frostine or Gloppy.
As the event is aimed at children preschool through second grade, the event’s promotion committee went out to three local elementary schools the day before the event to pass out candy and invitations.
Granada Heights Friends Church supplied snacks and coffee for parents to enjoy while they walked through the halls with their children or participated in interactive games. Alpha also hosted a movie on the lawn and a bounce house.
In line with tradition, floors had the choice of incorporating twists to the floor character theme. Some of this year’s included Disneyland, “Where in the World is Jolly La Mirada” and “Gramma Nutt Goes Shopping.” All the residence life staff dressed up in red and white striped costumes like Waldo from the famous “Where’s Waldo?” books.
Many of the families that visit Candyland are returners from previous years, said Chawna Vasquez, an Alpha Chi resident assistant. She said resident directors get e-mails as early as August asking about the event.
Residents from other halls also contributed to the event by donating candy and passing it out, said Malerie Hartwig, also a resident assistant. She said it’s important that Biola knows this event is not exclusively for Alpha Chi and it is very powerful to have other people help, too.
The hall received donations from local businesses like Golden Spoon, who donated 800 coupons for free yogurt, and Starplex Cinemas who donated $1 coupons for the children.
Planning for the event started a month ago and volunteers spent the entire week of the event getting decorations and artwork setup, Hartwig said. She said seeing the excitement on the children’s faces when they saw the decorations was rewarding.
“Their eyes were as big as saucers. They thought they were in the board game!” she said.
Hartwig and other Alpha resident life staff said the Candyland celebration is a tangible way of showing love to children.
“We want to let them know that as Biola, we care about them and we care about their kids,” Hartwig said, adding that parents were especially grateful toward the efforts of Biola’s students and staff in making Candyland possible.
