With Halloween just days away, the City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City is urging local families, churches and businesses to donate new or gently‑used costumes for children and teens. The shelter needs roughly 70 outfits to ensure every youngster in its program can join the neighborhood’s Halloween festivities and a Friday‑night carnival.
Why the costumes matter
“A sense of normalcy is one of the critical things the City Rescue Mission provides the families who live here,” said Melanie Anthony, vice president of development at the mission. She explained that a simple costume can give a child the feeling of belonging and joy during a season that many families otherwise miss out on.
What kinds of costumes are needed
The organization will accept brand‑new costumes as well as gently‑used ones that are still in good condition. “If it’s something your kiddo would still wear, you can send it out to trick‑or‑treat this year,” Anthony said. For teenagers, the shelter suggests comfortable onesies that resemble pajamas, a popular choice among older youth.
How to donate
Donations can be dropped off at the mission’s administrative offices located at 800 W. California Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City. The drop‑off window runs from Monday, Oct. 26 through Wednesday, Oct. 28, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The shelter asks donors to avoid costumes that are overly scary, focusing instead on fun, family‑friendly options.
Community impact
When the costumes are collected, children will be able to pick out their outfits on Thursday and attend the carnival on Friday. “Then when they go back to school on Monday, they can talk about, ‘Yeah, we went to this cool carnival, and I was Belle,’ or ‘I was a construction worker,’ or ‘I was an astronaut,’ or ‘I was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle,’” Anthony said. “We want them to have that same experience.”
Anthony added that the simple act of dressing up brings happiness and a brief escape for kids: “It’s things that make people happy and kids feel like they can be someone else in that moment, and who doesn’t love a mermaid costume?”
How you can help
Residents who wish to support the effort can bring costumes to the mission’s downtown office during the specified hours. The shelter also welcomes monetary donations that can be used to purchase additional costumes if needed. By contributing, community members help preserve a sense of normalcy and celebration for families facing hard times.
The City Rescue Mission’s call for costumes underscores the broader role of faith‑based charities in Oklahoma City, providing not only food and shelter but also opportunities for children to experience the joys of holiday traditions. As the holiday approaches, the mission hopes to meet its goal of 70 costumes by Wednesday, ensuring that every child can join in the fun and return to school with stories of a memorable Halloween.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
