Those day-old Halloween costumes can now be used for a great cause.
'Ween Dream, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization, collects gently used Halloween costume donations and provides them for free to children who cannot afford costumes. The idea came about when founder Kelsey Meeks, noticed children in her community trick-or-treating without costumes, while she was a law student at Tulane University.
Meeks began collecting Halloween costumes from friends and year by year, her collection grew. She eventually founded 'Ween Dream in 2014, and this year, the organization distributed costumes to children throughout 24 states. The 'Ween Dream headquarters sits in Jefferson, Louisiana, but the team works with individuals across the country to reach children in their communities.
"They know their areas best," Meeks told The Huffington Post. "[Next] year our goal is to double 24 states."
Throughout the year, 'Ween Dream receives "tons" of donated costumes and by spring, they assess the needs of various groups that work with children, through an application process. The organization works with children who experience homelessness, have special needs and disabilities, among other challenges.
'Ween Dream accepts donations to cover its year-round expenses that include rental space, insurance and the shipping costs of costumes. The group works with PayPal's PayPal Giving Fund, to streamline its online donations as part of PayPal's initiative to assist nonprofits in fundraising. 'Ween Dream also occasionally gets donations through eBay transactions -- one of PayPal's fundraising programs.
'Ween Dream will open costume applications in July for Halloween in 2016.
To make a donation to 'Ween Dream, visit its website.
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