Halloween Costume Drive to Benefit Northern Virginia Children

From Linda Roth Associates:

Steph Snaps Photos, Hilton McLean Tysons Corner and Härth (7920 Jones Branch Drive; (703) 847-5000) have again joined forces for a second annual costume drive. The original idea originated from a then three-year old son that enjoyed Halloween as much as his photographer mother. Each year in October the pair do their best to pick a daily costume and create a mother son adventure around that day’s outfit. Some previous favorites include Tom Brady and “deflate- gate,’ Superman / Clark Kent, and Forrest Gump. A gallery of images can be viewed at http://stephsnapsphotos.pixieset.com/halloween/. Two years ago, while preparing and talking about costumes ideas, the child asked if everyone dresses up for Halloween. This prompted a conversation about how fortunate they were and the idea for a costume drive was born!

The purpose of the drive is to secure gently used or new costume for local families. Cash donations are also accepted at www.gofundme.com/costumedrive2016. The money collected will help purchase additional costumes with size requirements that have not been fulfilled by donations.

The collected costumes and funds will benefit the children of the The Shelter House, The Alternative House and Jill’s House. The Alternative House has a vision of a community in which all young people are safe, live in a nurturing environment and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Jill's House provides respite for children with intellectual disabilities and their families; and The Shelter House is a community based non-profit organization serving homeless families and domestic violence victims in Fairfax, Virginia. We are grateful to have the opportunity to outfit over 300 children this Halloween.

The collected costumes and funds will benefit the children of the The Shelter House, The Alternative House and Jill’s House. The Alternative House has a vision of a community in which all young people are safe, live in a nurturing environment and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Jill's House provides respite for children with intellectual disabilities and their families; and The Shelter House is a community based non-profit organization serving homeless families and domestic violence victims in Fairfax, Virginia. We are grateful to have the opportunity to outfit over 300 children this Halloween.

Stephanie Snapkoski, owner of Steph Snaps Photos also works full time as Director of Sales and Marketing for Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. In sharing her idea with General Manager Brian Kelleher, he immediately rallied the hotel to support this effort. “Our hotel is committed to not just fulfilling the business needs of our community, but integrating ourselves with our community. Some holidays are better supported than others and I saw this as an opportunity to help support a holiday that is so cherished by young people, but may be overlooked.”

New or gently used costumes of any size can be dropped off at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner any day. The hotel will offer its on-site laundry services to prepare all costumes for delivery to Alternative House the week of October 19, prior to its scheduled Halloween programming. To learn more or to donate to the cause visit http://www.gofundme.com/costumedrive2016. Additional contributors to date include: Kforce, Hilton Worldwide, and Michael & Sons Sportsplex at Dulles.

Image via Pixabay