By Reagan Ranzer
Halloween is right around the corner and Texas Tech students are keeping the holiday spirit alive in unconventional ways. On Thursday, Oct. 29, a team of senior advertising majors will host a virtual walk-a-thon called “Trek-or-Treat” on Facebook from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
This event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest. Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization providing families of hospitalized children plenty of food, a roof to live under and to help families battling illnesses. All donations will go directly to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest.
Rory Englebert, an advertising major and media planner for the event, said the event is to raise awareness and help raise funds for the charity.
“The amount of donations people give we will be sending them different prizes in the mail for how much they donate,” Englebert said. “For twenty dollars and above we will be sending out little H-E-B sacks that H-E-B has donated to the Ronald McDonald House charity.”
Trick-or-Treaters circa 2019. Photo from TTU Student Activities Board
Participants can share pictures of family, friends, and furry animals in Halloween costumes on the Trek-or-Treat event Facebook Page. This page also contains a link where one can register and donate.
Englebert said all updates and information are on the Trek-or-Treat Facebook event page.
Julia Mata, an advertising and public relations major who is creative director of the event, said due to the pandemic they wanted to ensure that people would be able to have an alternative safe way to spend Halloween.
“That’s why we are still providing some sort of treats for certain donation levels,” Mata said. “We want this to be an opportunity for individuals who may not feel as comfortable going out Trick-or-Treating to still get dressed up and have fun and participate.”
Mata said they have prepared to continue the holiday tradition by trying to come up with ideas in which they can reach the target public.
“Another big way is how we can connect with Texas Tech students since that is one of their target publics,” Mata said. “We’re going to be posting things in the Media and Communications building, flyers around town, we’re hoping that we’re going to reach people.”
Patrons enjoy Halloween festivities circa 2019. Photo by TTU Student Activities Board.
Cyndie Buckle, an advertising instructor and the director of the event, wanted to go in-depth about what exactly the Ronald McDonald House Charity of Southwest is and stands for.
“Most people know about the Ronald McDonald house, but they don’t know exactly what they do,” Buckle said. “The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest serves 68 surrounding counties including Lubbock. They provide lodging for parents who have children between birth and the age of twenty-one who are receiving treatment in one of the local hospitals.”
The Ronald McDonald House provides no charge for the families to stay as long as they need to until their child is able to leave the hospital, Buckle said.
“They do a fantastic service – I mean just think about – you’re a parent and your child is sick and you’re trying to figure out how to stay in a hotel and pay for that,” she said. “We are hoping this event will help raise money for them.”
Costumed kids enjoy Halloween festivities circa 2019. Photo by TTU Student Activities Board
For more information, visit the Trek-or-Treat login Facebook event page. Patrons can also sign up for the event and contribute donations by following the link in the event’s description.
About Reece Nations, Managing Editor
