A Tucson resident is ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent children from experiencing the joy of Halloween. Abby Splittstoesser has initiated a grassroots mutual aid organization called Para Todos, which translates to “for all.” After observing social media posts from parents struggling to afford Halloween costumes last year, Splittstoesser decided to take action.
Throughout the year, she collected and thrifted costumes, amassing an inventory of approximately 40 options that cater to various sizes, from 3T to youth XXL. Now, she is distributing these costumes free of charge to families in need, primarily focusing on the underserved areas south of Tucson.
Connecting Families and Filling Gaps
“The idea behind it is to connect families really anywhere in Southern Arizona,” Splittstoesser explained. “I’m honing in on south Tucson because we are lacking in many services and family programs down here.”
Her diverse collection features costumes ranging from fairy wings and princess outfits to Top Gun pilot uniforms and Ninja Turtle ensembles. Splittstoesser aims to alleviate financial burdens, allowing parents to concentrate on essential expenses rather than Halloween costs.
“Parents can focus on their bills that they have to pay, and hopefully we can fill in the gaps as a community,” she added. The initiative is particularly meaningful in light of the National Retail Federation report indicating that Halloween spending reached a record $13.1 billion this year, with $1.4 billion allocated specifically for children’s costumes.
Splittstoesser offers direct delivery of costumes to families residing on Tucson’s Southside. One mother, Rea Rollins, exemplified the lengths parents are willing to go to when she planned to ride the bus to collect a gorilla costume for her 9-year-old daughter. Instead, Splittstoesser brought the costume to her home. “It really blessed my heart because being a single mom, I often have to juggle between rent and food, or smaller bills and presents/clothes,” Rollins expressed via text. “I’m thankful for local organizations that help our community.”
A Growing Community Initiative
Since its inception, seven families have already benefited from the costume collection, and some have even returned their children’s outgrown costumes to the organization. Although Para Todos is not currently a registered 501(c)(3) organization, Splittstoesser plans to establish it as a limited liability company (LLC) in the future.
Looking ahead, she has plans to host monthly birthday parties for children. “This is another need that I’ve seen on social media—parents not being able to get kids to come to their kids’ birthday parties,” she noted. Any child celebrating a birthday in that month will be invited to join the festivities, fostering a sense of community and support.
“They always say it takes a village, but a lot of people don’t have a village nowadays. So I’m trying to encourage people to get to know their neighbors,” Splittstoesser emphasized.
As a mother of two young children, ages seven and four, she hopes to instill the value of generosity in her kids. “If we have more than we need, we give it to other people,” she stated.
For those interested in viewing the available costumes, Splittstoesser invites them to visit the Para Todos Facebook page for more details. The initiative not only highlights the vital role of community support but also exemplifies how individual actions can create significant impacts in the lives of families facing financial challenges.
