Rapid City, S.D. — Each October, Good Samaritan’s St. Martin Village opens its doors to a special Halloween tradition that brings together the youngest members of the community and the seniors who call the assisted‑living campus home. This year, 107 preschoolers from St. Elizabeth Seton visited the campus for an afternoon of costumes, candy, and conversation.
Generations meet on the trail
Jana McCroden, senior director for Good Samaritan, explained that the idea grew from her own family’s connection to St. Elizabeth Seton. “My kids went to school over at Seton and thought it was a great way to interact between the two different generations,” she said.
The event, which began roughly a decade ago, was paused during the COVID‑19 pandemic but has returned strong. Organizers note that this marks the fourth consecutive year since the tradition resumed.
Kids showcase costumes, seniors share memories
For the preschoolers, the trail offers a chance to parade their Halloween outfits and collect a bounty of treats. For the residents, handing out candy sparks memories of the holidays they once celebrated with their own children. “Watching the preschoolers’ excitement gives residents opportunities to reminisce about their families and discuss how Halloween traditions have evolved,” McCroden said.
Residents compare today’s popular costumes with the characters they remember from years past, creating a lively exchange of stories and laughter.
Community support keeps the tradition thriving
Teresa Wardle, activity coordinator at Good Samaritan, highlighted the role of families and the broader community in supplying the candy and other treats. “They get really excited about it and their families donate and the public donates the candy,” she said.
Each resident receives a bucket of treats to distribute, ensuring everyone can participate, even those who cannot purchase candy themselves. “I think it’s really important for our residents to be able to have the opportunity to hand out candy because how many years were they able to hand out candy or hand out different items to kids?” McCroden added.
Because the children often collect more candy than they can carry, adults bring wagons to transport the bags back to the school. “Their bags get heavy,” McCroden noted, prompting organizers to keep the trail manageable and consider adding non‑candy items such as juice boxes, chips, and small toys.
Donations and volunteer effort
The success of the event relies on donations from residents’ families, community members, and local businesses. Wardle explained that organizers sort and count contributions to determine if additional supplies are needed. This year, a generous family donation eliminated the need for a supplemental shopping trip.
Good Samaritan also welcomes ongoing donations of school supplies, pencils, and other items that can be used for future activities. Collection boxes are placed throughout St. Martin Village, and a hat‑and‑mitten drive is planned for the colder months.
Beyond Halloween
The partnership between Good Samaritan and St. Elizabeth Seton extends throughout the year. Preschoolers visit the senior community for bingo, cookie decorating, and, in December, a Christmas sing‑along. These interactions provide continuous opportunities for intergenerational bonding.
McCroden emphasized that the tradition does more than deliver candy; it builds lasting connections between children and seniors, reinforcing the fabric of the Rapid City community.
Members of the public interested in supporting the tradition can contact Good Samaritan’s St. Martin Village for current donation needs.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
