Students from the greek community, along with residents from across the mid-Michigan area, gathered Thursday in East Lansing for the annual Safe Halloween event. The event took place on M.A.C. Avenue, between Elizabeth Street and Burcham Drive, and featured food, games, activities and Halloween candy for the kids.
Since it first began a decade ago, Veronica Will and her family have ventured from Durand, Mich., to attend the annual Safe Halloween event in East Lansing.
“The kids just really enjoy it and it’s a great event that seems to bridge the community and university together well,” Will said. “It’s fun, there’s food and games and the candy for the kids and, honestly, it wouldn’t be Halloween without it.”
The Safe Halloween event, which is organized by Greek Life and funded by ASMSU and the Council of Graduate Studies, or COGS, is designed to bring the residents of East Lansing and the student body together, said Sean King, an economics senior and vice president of external relations for the Interfraternity Council.
“It’s really meant as a way for us to reach out to the community and show them that students care and respect the things that they do for us,” King said. “It’s a way to give back.”
ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.
This year’s event was expected to draw more than 2,000 visitors, not only from East Lansing, but from the entire mid-Michigan area, he said.
Brent and Colleen Gates, along with their children, made the trip from Mason, Mich., to attend for a second year in a row, they said.
“This is awesome because the Greek Life and the community actually come together to do something for the kids,” Colleen Gates said. “They always seem to be against each other so this is great.”
The Community Relations Coalition, or CRC, saw the opportunity to partner with the greek community in order to do something positive for the neighborhood, said Erin Carter, a community liaison for MSU.
“We’re always trying to find ways to mix students and non-students together in positive environments and bring the community together,” said Carter.
Human biology junior Shannon Cramm, who is a member of Order of Omega, a leadership honor society for members of fraternal organizations, recognized the importance of supporting all of the houses and being involved with the city.
“We do this event every year and it’s so great that we can come together and put on such a big thing,” Cramm said. “All of the kids are really excited — it’s really a hit.”
Out with his friends while pledging for Sigma Phi Epsilon, no-preference freshman Inho Jung loved the idea of being able to put on an event for the kids.
“It’s really a great way to come out and do something that shows the kids a good time,” Jung said. “I mean kids love Halloween so you can’t go wrong here.”
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