Introduction to Halloween For Heroes
Halloween for Heroes is an organization founded in 2001 by the Wright family of Needham, MA. On Halloween night rather than trick-or-treat for candy, groups of high school and middle school students go door-to-door raising awareness and funds for a charitable cause. This event is not only valuable in the funds and awareness raised for the cause chosen each year. Halloween for Heroes also strives to benefit its youth participants by giving them the opportunity to engage in something bigger than themselves and learn that they have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others who don’t have the stability that they do. In addition, the community sees its youth engaging in a collective effort to help those suffering, in turn inspiring more community activism for important causes.
Halloween for Heroes was first organized in 2001 by brothers JW and Greg Wright, with help from friends Jeff Gardner and Abel Samet. Responding to President Bush's request that every child in America help the starving children in Afganistan, Needham High School students mobilized through Halloween for Heroes to raise funds for America's Fund for Afghan Children. Since its initial success in 2001 Halloween for Heroes has raised over $10,000 for causes such as relief for Darfuri genocide victims and Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief and had over 100 student participants. It is hoped that the success of Halloween for Heroes in Needham will inspire students across the country to take part in Halloween for Heroes and devote their Halloween night to aiding those less fortunate than themselves and educating their communities about a significant national or international issue.
