Gently used Halloween costume donations are being collected again this year for the second annual Ella-Ween.
Sarnia mom, Kristin Luckins, started planning the charity event for the Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness Group [SODA] in 2022, as a tribute to her two-year-old daughter.
Ella Crossett died suddenly in the summer of 2022 and her organs were donated to two little boys.
"Right now we have Motion on Finch Drive, (49 Finch Drive Unit 7) Unit #7, they're collecting costumes for us, you can also drop them off to myself, and at the Royal SCITS Academy gymnasium between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday to Friday," said Luckins.
Luckins can be contacted through the Sarnia Scare Grams Facebook page or by emailing sarniascaregrams@gmail.com.
Costumes will be sold for $10 each, with money raised given to SODA and used to create grief packages for donor families.
"This is not just for children, this is for families, for everybody. Even adults can come and find a costume. Halloween is expensive. With Ella-Ween, you can wear the costume and if you want you can bring it right back, donate it again for next year, and it all goes to SODA," she said.
Luckins said they have some fun things planned, including a few movies, face painting by The Painted Cat and hair transformations by Nina Lox Hair Extensions.
Some vendors offering services to children are also participating this year.
"For example, we'll have the Tutor Doctor and Bluewater Taekwondo, any kind of activities that are available, you can find out what's in the community," Luckins said.
If you already have a costume, Luckins said you can still come and wear it if you want.
"If you want to dress up, dress up! That would be so much fun! Just make it a fun event. It's a Halloween event. So, if you don't come and buy a costume and you just have a great time with your family, and you just have a great day, that's what Ella-Ween is about, because Ella loved that day," she said.
Ella-Ween will be held at the Royal SCITS Academy off Wellington Street on October 20 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.