ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – For Samantha Gaudino and her son, Shepard, the scariest part of Halloween could be getting the wrong candy while trick-or-treating.
“Shepard has a severe peanut allergy, so Halloween for us is a bit different than the average family,” said Gaudino.
While looking for a way to make the holiday more inclusive for Shepard, Gaudino discovered the Teal Pumpkin Project.
“The Teal Pumpkin Project is a nationwide effort to make Halloween safer and happier for all of the kids, especially kids with food allergies, diabetes, and other medical conditions that prevent them from enjoying candy treats,” she explained.
A teal pumpkin outside someone’s house lets trick-or-treaters know the residents have non-food items for them to enjoy.
“You can fill the pumpkin with stickers, bouncy balls, spider rings, vampire fangs, coloring pages—the options are pretty limitless,” said Gaudino. “We don’t recommend putting anything that might contain traces of food in them, such as Play-Doh. Play-Doh contains wheat.”
Gaudino brought the Teal Pumpkin Project to Delta County last year, with about six homes participating. This year, 25 homes are already on board.
“I’m thrilled with that, but I would love to see that number rise,” Gaudino said. “I would love to be able to offer accessibility to all of the children, not just in Escanaba.”
On Sunday, October 22, children with food restrictions have an extra chance to collect some goodies. The Escanaba Downtown Development Authority is partnering with the Teal Pumpkin Project for a Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat event at the Center Court on 11th and Ludington Streets from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Gaudino says she is touched by the way Delta County is working to make Halloween more accessible for every child.
“My son is usually not included in these events that are happening in the community, so it means the world to us that he can actually participate,” she said. “He’s been talking about it all season already. He goes, ‘I get to finally go! I get to go do that!'”
To view a map of houses participating in the Delta County Teal Pumpkin Project or to add your house, click here. Registration is still open for trunks at the Spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat event. Click here to register.
