DERRY — As Halloween gets closer, The Upper Room offers costume help for area children.
The Upper Room, located on Tsienneto Road, hosts its second annual Halloween costume drive to benefit children and families in the area.
With millions of children getting ready to go out trick-or-treating this year, finding the perfect costume and accessories can be very expensive.
Now through Oct. 15, people can drop off new and gently used infant, children, and teen Halloween costumes and fun accessories at donation spots all over town.
"It's one of the most child-centered holidays we celebrate and often the most overlooked by donors," said Janis Lilly, coordinator for The Upper Room's Teen Information for Parenting Success program. "Knowing that families skip community festivities for lack of funds for costumes is the reason we do this."
She added the $10 to $15 cost for a costume might not seem like a lot to some people, but when budgets are tight and food needs to be on the table, money for items like Halloween costumes isn't a priority.
"While these little luxuries are not necessary, they are certainly what make childhood special and magical," Lilly said.
Several businesses and locations around Derry serve as official Halloween costume drop-off spots.
Call Janis Lilly at 437-8477 for information on the costume drive.
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Have a costume to spare?
The Upper Room, 36 Tsienneto Road, Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Costume Gallery, 11 1/2 E. Broadway, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rig A'Tony's, 38 W. Broadway, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Dollar Bill's Discount World ,133 Rockingham Road, Sunday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Derry Parks and Recreation, 31 W. Broadway, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
