Bringing Trick-or-Treat Back Home
Long-time volunteer Rodney Beldo grew up in Bostonās inner city, and itās where heās raised his family. One thing that always bothered him: kids in his neighborhood donāt go out trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood. Itās just too dangerous. So their families bring them to safer areas where the ghosts and witches, the super heroes and fairy princesses, can ring doorbells and fill their bags with candy.
In 2018, Rodney decided to do something about the absence of trick-or-treating in his neighborhood. He worked with other CITC volunteers to set up a block party for kids in the Dorchester/Roxbury section of Boston. Now those little super heroes and fairy princesses are scurrying around in their own neighborhood, collecting M&Mās and Milky Ways. Theyāre out at night having a fun time with their friends, and itās safe.
Now, not a week goes by without one of Rodneyās neighbors coming up to thank him for bringing trick-or-treat to their streets, and without some of the neighborhood kiddos asking Rodney for assurances that it will happen again this October. Rodney tells them there most definitely will be another Halloween in the City. āI never thought Iād see a kid in my neighborhood out trick or treating in their costumes,ā Rodney says. āI wouldnāt miss it for anything.ā
Growing up in Roxbury, I was a gang member. Now Iām a member of the greatest gang on earth, helping make dreams come true for kids in my community.
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