BUCKNER, IL- This year at Halloween the Buckner Fire Department will once again have its doors open for our area trick or treaters, on Halloween night from 5:00 until 9:00pm. We will have candy and fire prevention materials to hand out for the kids. We will also be grilling out and having free hot dogs, chips, and drinks. Kids will have the chance to participate in “Touch a Truck” where they will be allowed to explore in one of our fire engines!
And finally we will be having our first annual “Its the Great Pumpkin Buckner Fire” pumpkin decorating contest. All kids 18 and under will have the oppourtunity to bring in a painted and or carved pumpkin to be judged by very distinguished panel of pumpkin experts, and have the chance to win a sweet prize package! One boy and one girl will win a certificate with the oppourtunity to get a chauffeured ride to school in one of our engines! Talk about making your friends jealous!!!
We are also pleased to announce, that this year we will be participating in the “Teal Pumpkin Project.”
The Teal Pumpkin project is a simple way to identify to parents and their children, that we will have non-allergen candy and prizes available for children with food allergies. The department will have teal pumpkins on display to identify our trick or treat spot as a “safe” place to get safe treats and prizes.
Food allergies are a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease, and a growing public health issue. In the U.S., one in 13 children has a food allergy – that’s roughly two in every classroom. For these children, even a tiny amount of their allergen has the potential to cause a severe reaction.
Virtually any food can cause a reaction. Many popular Halloween candies contain nuts, milk, egg, soy or wheat, which are some of the most common allergens in children and adults. Additionally, many miniature or fun-size versions of candy items contain different ingredients than their full-size counterparts and some miniature candy items may not have labels, so it is difficult for parents to determine whether these items are safe for their child with food allergies.
Non-food treats provide a safe, fun alternative for children with food allergies and other conditions for whom candy may present a problem.
There are many kids that don’t get to experience the fun of Trick or treating due to this illness.
We care about all the kids in all communities. They are our future.
The cool thing is…. you, the person reading this… can participate as well.
For more information where you can learn the facts about food allergies and the Teal Pumpkin project, please visit any or all of the following websites.
www. tealpumpkinproject. org or you may like The Teal Pumpkin Project on Facebook
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