Angel’s Night Halloween Fair for Pontiac Youth Oct. 30
(Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. Press Release, Oct. 27, 2014)
Promoting a fun and safe Halloween season for students, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s 3rd Annual Harvest Festival Angels Night will be even bigger this year as Pontiac Schools partners to provide a “Lights On: Trunk or Treat” event. The fall fair will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at the old Howard Dell Community Center at the corner of Edison and Rundell streets in Pontiac.
Many local businesses and nonprofit groups have been involved in planning and sponsoring the free event. The Sheriff’s Office will have a vehicle display for the kids, and children’s activities will range from treats and games to hayrides, bounce houses, face painting, line dancing and a rock climbing wall. All are encouraged to wear costumes. Live music and food is planned as well as a large heated tent in case of chilly, fall weather. Additionally, organizers expect to have more than 80 cars filled with candy and other treats for children.
Rev. Lorenzo Sewell, Pastor of Woodside Bible Church & Co-Event Planner, who helped coordinate the event, said, “It is wonderful to see such a broad base of participation of individuals who are ready for action and have good conversation with the goal of revitalizing the city of Pontiac. I am excited! It has been proven that organized action is vital to improving any community.”
“We are thrilled that Pontiac Schools is joining the Harvest Festival fun this year with the Trunk or Treat event. Our unified efforts and their ability to mobilize the students of Pontiac will make this Halloween better and safer than ever for the kids of Pontiac,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said.
Funded in part by a Pontiac Schools Project Excel Program Grant (21st Century Community Learning Centers), the program also will highlight the importance of afterschool programs for children. Sheriff Bouchard and other local leaders will discuss how afterschool programs help promote student achievement and keep kids safe.
Similar events will be held nationwide as part of the Lights-On Afterschool initiative organized by the Afterschool Alliance, a Washington D.C.-based non-profit advocacy group that promotes safe afterschool programs for children.
Additional partners for this upcoming event include: Save a Lot, Woodside Bible Church, Oakland University, Kirk in the Hills, NPHC Pontiac Chapter, Project Help, Peel’s Garden Center, Oakland Schools, Yates Cider Mill, Pontiac Regional Chamber, Ascend Foundation, Oakland County Ministerial Fellowship, Reverse Church, Chartwells, Pontiac Kappa Foundation, Kensington Church, The Power Company Kids Club, Plan B, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Center for Success, Great Start Collaborative Oakland, First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, Oakland Primary Health Services, Olive Branch Ministries Inc., Pontiac Housing Commission, Pontiac Youth Assistance, Victory Apostolic Church, Oakland County Parks, PEA/MEA, Project Excel, Lighthouse of Oakland County, and Bridge the Gap Ministries.