Halloween Costume Swap

From the Times-Tribune, by Caitlin Heaney

“Swapping one Halloween costume for another will not only help people get rid of unwanted outfits, but also keep those items out of the landfill.

Ahead of National Costume Swap Day on Oct. 9, Coldwell Banker offices in Blakely, Clarks Summit, and Moscow will collect costumes that are in clean and good condition for children through age 16 for Green Halloween Costume Swap. Anyone donating a costume will receive a token they can bring back to the offices on the swap day to exchange for another donated outfit.

‘We’ve just been looking for more and more community-driven ventures and activities to follow through on and get involved with,’ said Greg Solfanelli, spokesman for Coldwell Banker Town & Country Properties. ‘This is one of those issues that I saw and said, “Hey, we need to do this.”‘

This is the first year for the swap, an ‘East Coast version’ of one of Mr. Solfanelli said a Coldwell Banker affiliate holds in Washington state.

The eco-friendly program is based on the concept of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,’ he said, and is a healthier alternative to throwing away a costume. Many people discard their old outfits or buy new ones, Mr. Solfanelli said, but they can save money by participating in the swap.

The offices have set a 150-costume goal for the collection, but ‘we certainly hope for much more than that,’ Mr. solfanelli said. Donors can drop off costumes at the offices from 9am to 5pm from Oct. 1 to 8. they can redeem their tokens at any of the three offices Oct. 9 from 10 am to 3 pm.

The offices will donate leftover costumes to local charities.”

Costumes will be collected at Coldwell Banker offices from 9am to 5pm daily October 1-8.  Donors may exchange their tokens for other costumes at the offices on October 9 from 10am to 3pm.

• 651 Northern Blve., Clarks Summit
• 1250 Church St., Moscow
• 130 Main St., Blakely