Forget the Candy, Celebrate a Food Allergy-Friendly Halloween!

On October 28th, The Willow School is excited to host its second annual Teal Pumpkin Spooktacular, from 1-4pm on Willow’s campus at 1150 Pottersville Road in Gladstone, NJ. The party, which is open to the public, will feature trick-or-treating for treasures, pumpkin painting, slime making, scarecrow decorating, potion making, spooky story time, and other crafts and games organized by Willow teachers, Wee Little Arts, Toys with Love, Black Butterfly Studio, and Music Together. It is fun for the whole family in a safe environment for kids with food allergies and families with a health-conscious lifestyle.

A suggested donation of $5 benefits Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), whose national Teal Pumpkin Project inspired the party. FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project promotes safety, inclusion, and respect for individuals managing food allergies. This movement offers a Halloween alternative for kids with allergies, as well as other families that want to celebrate Halloween without the candy. Last year, Willow’s event raised $1,000 for FARE!

Throughout the year, FARE works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom.

The Willow School has embraced a nut-free, allergy- and health-conscious approach since it was founded in 2000. "Hosting our annual Teal Pumpkin Halloween Party reflects our commitment to making all children feel safe and included and models the virtues of respect and responsibility which are central to our Virtues Curriculum,” said Francisco Ayala, Willow’s Head of School. “It is a way for us to make all the individuals in our school community, and our larger community, feel supported, while having fun at the same time!”

“Our approach to managing food allergies here at Willow is to educate, advocate, and raise awareness,” said Willow’s school nurse Melisa Sussex.

The Willow School will also be lighting its signs and Farmhouse teal during the month of October to promote food allergy awareness, inspired by Turn it Teal, an organization dedicated to lighting sites in the signature color of food allergy awareness.

Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/willowteal