Tricks, treats in Hearnes Center
Published Nov. 2, 2007
Yoda, Spiderman and the Lone Ranger walked into the same building. But it's not a bad joke; it's Tiger Night of Fun on Halloween in the Hearnes Center.
A variety of clubs and organizations, as well as local businesses, participated in the event by setting up booths in which children could enjoy games and candy. The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department provided the candy.
City of Columbia spokeswoman Tammy Miller said since many organizations on campus have a service orientation, it made them good choices for volunteers.
"This is a perfect match for us and them," she said.
Several groups represented MU at the event.
Alpha Phi Omega President Haley Becker said since the service fraternity was a service-oriented organization, it made sense to do the event.
"We've done it ever since they've been offering the event," she said.
Becker said the organization had a good turnout to work their booth this year.
"We had to get two booths because we had so many people signed up to volunteer," she said.
MU's basketball team was also present with a basketball hoop for children to play with.
Director of Basketball Operations Jeff Daniels said the team participated to foster a sense of community in the players.
"That's just something we want to stress in our guys," Daniels said.
He said he wanted the team to know they were part of both the MU community and the Columbia community.
Sophomore basketball player JT Tiller said he enjoyed working the event.
"Anything to help out the community," he said.
Tiller said he thought it was a good experience for the kids to get to meet the basketball team.
"They get to interact with MU athletes," he said. "They actually get to hang out with the people they see on TV."
Miller said the area was primarily meant to provide a safe place for the children.
"It's meant to give children an alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating," she said.
Outer Limits dance team President Brendon Bailey said the team had gotten involved to do some community service.
Bailey said he thought the event was an important one for safety reasons.
"I feel like we're in a time when crime is increasing," he said. "It's important to keep kids out of it."
Daniels said he felt the students benefited from the interaction just as the children attending the event did.
"Our guys are having as much fun as the kids," he said.
Best Buy Sales manager Kevin Walk, an MU graduate who participated at the Best Buy booth, said he thought the students who volunteered learned more than the kids.
"It kind of brings you back down to earth from the college life," he said.
A variety of activities and games were open to the attendees of the event. The Outer Limits dance team did a "Thriller" dance routine and there was an inflatable moon bounce set up by KPLA/101.5 FM.
Sarah Dweik, a trick-or-treater who came dressed as an Argentinean soccer player, said she enjoyed Tiger Night of Fun more than the outdoor alternative.
"It's more fun," she said. "You see everybody, and there are more places."
Miller said she was happy with the way the event turned out.
"We think it went very well," she said. "Occasionally if the weather is nice, some trick-or-treaters choose to stay outside, but we had a good turnout."
Miller estimated that at least 3,000 people attended the event.