Trick or Treat Street hosted 23rd event for over 1,500 local children

The University of Richmond hosted its 23rd annual Trick or Treat Street on Oct. 23, with the help of 34 campus clubs and organizations that volunteered to provide a special Halloween tradition to over 1,500 children in the Richmond area.

TOTS is the largest annual philanthropic tradition hosted by UR. Organizations on campus volunteer to provide a safe environment for children to trick or treat. 

This year, the executive board for TOTS had to reimagine the event to create a socially distant environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The TOTS executive board set up a route for families to drive through campus with different clubs cheering, stamping “passports” and handing out candy. 

Franklin Borre, president of TOTS, has been on the executive board for three years. Borre looks forward to the event and seeing the children every year, he said. 

“Because we've been hosting this event for so long, a lot of families in the area look forward to it every year,” Borre said. “My freshman year, I remember looking around and seeing the smiling faces. Even through the challenges of not having had TOTS the past two years, thinking about those families has provided a log of motivation. 

“We're excited to revive and reimagine this tradition. Having been on the exec board for three years, it's also fun getting to know all of the other board members and volunteers each year. They're all great people who share that same passion for helping the community!” 

All proceeds from the event are donated to Ronald McDonald House Charity. RMHC provides support for families of kids in critical care in hospitals. 

“We've been running it for years,” Borre said. “It's a wonderful opportunity to bring the campus community together, and I hope it continues for years to come!”

Contact lifestyle writer Anna-Laura Houston at annalaura.houston@richmond.edu.