On Thursday, October 8, the LifeCareCenter of Valparaiso welcomed local residents to its annual Trunk or Treat event, held in the facility's parking lot. The evening offered a community gathering for attendees of all ages, providing an opportunity for early Halloween festivities.
Guests arrived in costume, participating in a festive atmosphere that included decorated trunks, classic cars, and opportunities to fill candy bags. Beyond candy, the event offered hot dogs grilled on-site and freshly popped popcorn. This year’s theme was “Hocus Pocus,” with LifeCareCenter staff dressing as the Sanderson sisters and other witches, ghouls, or in general festive attire to enhance the spooky spirit. A screening of “Hocus Pocus” was also available for enjoyment at the front of the building.
The Trunk or Treat tradition commenced in 2021, established as an initiative to connect the care facility with the broader community. It quickly became an annual fixture, recognized for its role in fostering community ties and boosting morale among both staff and residents. Angie Monahan, the director of business development at LifeCareCenter, emphasized the event’s inclusive nature, stating, “This is a safe space for anyone to come. We want you to be able to come and have a good time with us.”
Residents of LifeCareCenter actively participated in the event, with many joining the outdoor festivities. They spent time with their families, observed the activity, and distributed candy to trick-or-treaters. The preparation for the annual Halloween night is a months-long process, beginning with the selection of a thematic topic. This year, the objective was to bring a sense of magic to the area. Monahan attributes the consistent success of the event to collaborative teamwork, highlighting the extensive effort involved in organizing, setting up, advertising, and engaging the community.
Gale Kritenbrink, a nurse at LifeCareCenter, spoke to the impact of the event on residents, noting the joy they experience seeing children and recalling memories of past trick-or-treaters at their own homes. This sentiment underscores the event’s success in fostering happiness and connection within the facility.
Numerous partners of LifeCareCenter also contributed to the event by hosting decorated trunks. For these attending partners, the Trunk or Treat served as an important platform to inform the community about their available services and to strengthen relationships with the public they serve. Catherine Fulton, executive director of Green Oaks Assisted Living in Valparaiso, stated it was “a great opportunity to come out, enjoy the community, and continue to build those relationships.” Fatima Hawkins, community care manager at Elara Caring – Personal Care Services, also highlighted the value of supporting the community, spreading information, and giving back to Valparaiso and Northwest Indiana.
The annual Trunk or Treat provides a relaxed setting for Hoosiers to learn about local healthcare options and support services, particularly benefiting families with aging loved ones. LifeCareCenter of Valparaiso remains committed to bringing together its residents and the surrounding community for enjoyable events, with plans to continue the tradition in the future. Monahan concluded, “We want you to come out. We want you to have fun.”
