Friends of Maple Grove sponsored the first ever Trunk or Treat at Maple Grove Cemetery on Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2014, and it was an amazing success!
As far as we know, it was the first Trunk or Treat held in a cemetery. The Historic Victorian Monumental Park of Maple Grove is noted for its lush trees, rolling hills and beautiful stone monuments. The vibrant fall foliage and mild weather provided the perfect background as well as a unique and safe environment for family and children. They came nonstop and had a wonderful time! Many parents were very grateful and offered many compliments. There were number children who were quoted to say, "This is the best Halloween ever!" Many children wore wonderful costumes and many of the parents did as well. Only a small section of Monumental Park was closed off to vehicles thus providing a safe enclosure for the children.
We are extremely grateful to Bonnie Dixon and the Maple Grove Association for their support and participation for making this event possible. Bonnie's trunk was a HUGE hit!
Archbishop Molloy had a group of young people who gave up their time to help and they were indeed inspirational. They helped make the event memorable and pitched in wholeheartedly.
There were nine decorated car trunks in total provided by Roslyn Powell, Steven Martinez, Helen Day, Alex Samaroo, Jeanette Pilar, Susan Horwich and others. We had a WONDERFUL surprise when two young officers from the 102 Police Precinct arrived with a decorated patrol car and stayed the entire time to give out candy to the children! We were very moved by their kindness. The trunks were wonderfully decorated and delighted many of the young children. There was a Halloween Doll display, an array of masquerade feathered masks, a winter scene of polar bears, a Halloween Safari display, a flock of lambs, an interactive bobbing for apples trunk that used a fish pole, and a wonderful old fashioned haunted house exhibit, to describe a few. The Melrose Credit Union donated a check of $500 that helped us purchase a nearly unlimited amount of candy! THANK YOU! Trunk or Treat at Maple Grove was a wonderful success and without their help and support would not have been such a wonderful program. This event was created to provide a safe environment for children trick or treating on Halloween. It was also a Food Drive and a large amount of canned food was collected and will be donated to local food pantries! Next year, Halloween falls on a Saturday and we look forward to an even more spectacular Trunk or Treat event at Maple Grove!!! Thank you all, once again, for your support! Carl Ballenas President of the Friends of Maple Grove
