Halloween has always been Katrina FontaineB次元官网网址檚 favourite time of the year.

But as a person living with a serious, life-long genetic illness, the Rossland resident is also aware of the problems it creates for many people.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really lucky, IB次元官网网址檓 able to eat candy and as a kid I was able to participate in trick-or-treating,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淏ut I know lots of families with similar conditions who havenB次元官网网址檛 had that ability.B次元官网网址�

Many issues can create barriers for kids to participate in trick-or-treating, says Fontaine, from allergies, juvenile diabetes or being tube-fed, to having swallowing or digestive problems or auto-immune disorders like celiac disease.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 why two years ago Fontaine started the B次元官网网址淭eal PumpkinB次元官网网址� campaign.

The idea is simple. Paint a pumpkin teal-coloured, put it on your doorstep as an indicator that you have non-edible treats available. Instead of sugary candy, children can be offered a small toy.

Fontaine, whose illness means she canB次元官网网址檛 work, says the campaign is a rewarding effort.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great way for me to get involved in the community, and to try to make HalloweB次元官网网址檈n a little more inclusive for children who might not be able to participate,B次元官网网址� she explains.

Fontaine and her friend Bryony Clark prepared about 20 pre-made packages for families who may want to participate. For $10 to $20 you can buy a pre-painted teal pumpkin and a package of toys, however she doesnB次元官网网址檛 want money to be a barrier for people to participate.

She says the response has been tremendous. SheB次元官网网址檚 sold out all the pre-made packages, and says another 15 families have made up their own packages. (See the sidebar for ideas to create your own self-made package)

B次元官网网址淚 think Rossland is a great community where this is something that is supported,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淧eople are quite health-conscious, and even if people donB次元官网网址檛 have those health issues, they still seem to understand the benefits of doing this project.B次元官网网址�

Fontaine says there are many families in Rossland affected by various issues that can keep kids from participating in the holiday and it can help bring the fun of HalloweB次元官网网址檈n back to them.

B次元官网网址淚t is hard for parents. It is really stressful and difficult to limit their childrenB次元官网网址檚 participating in something they know their children enjoy, but they know health-wise itB次元官网网址檚 not the best week for them.

B次元官网网址淎nd I think itB次元官网网址檚 difficult all around. The children canB次元官网网址檛 participate in the same way and the families canB次元官网网址檛 participate with other families the same way.

B次元官网网址淪o I think this is a great way for people, they donB次元官网网址檛 have to self-identify and kids are still able to participate.B次元官网网址�

FontaineB次元官网网址檚 preparing a map of all the locations with teal pumpkins in Rossland for Halloween night, and will publish it to bhubble.com and the local Facebook community pages.

B次元官网网址淭wo years ago I sort of did it last minute. I wasnB次元官网网址檛 feeling well at the time,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淏ut a local physician, Dr. Laara Banner, said B次元官网网址榠f you get the pumpkins, IB次元官网网址檒l get the people togetherB次元官网网址�. So we pulled it together in a couple of days.

B次元官网网址淪o weB次元官网网址檙e hoping that working a few more days in advance, a lot of families will benefit for sure.B次元官网网址�

For more information, contact Katrina at kl.fontaine@gmail.com, on her Facebook page, or call 250-231-8770.

Handing Out Treats:

-If handing out both edible and non-edible treats, you can either mix them together or separate into two bowls.

-Depending on your preference and number of expected trick-or-treaters, you can let each kid choose between candy or a toy, hand out toys and no candy, or give them the option of candy and a toy or two toys (which makes it fair for the kids who cannot have candy).

-Feel free to share about the TPP but itB次元官网网址檚 also not necessary to do so when everyone is offered the same options. Kids donB次元官网网址檛 need an explanation about toys and the kids who require them will know to stay away from the edibles.

Suggestions for non-edible treats:

Glow in the dark (almost) anything

Spooky Halloween trinkets, mini skiulls, bones, vampire fangs, witch fingers

Stickers

Skipping ropes

Matchbox cars

Pencils, erasers, stamps

Mini Play-Doh