There's good spooky, and then there's bad spooky. Steps to Success' Trunk or Treat is nothing but healthy Halloween vibes.

"Every year, it is a fun, family-friendly event that brings the community together in a positive way," said Adriana Witman, the executive programming administrator for Steps to Success. "It's all about how we can give back to our community and bring a little fall fun. We love that the Zion Church evangelism team gets involved to help with the event too."

A childcare and early education center, Steps to Success will be hosting its now annual trunk or treat event from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at and around its facilities at Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola. The good spooky event is free to attend, but visitors and interested contributors are encouraged to register at http://www.stepstosuccesinc.com/trunkortreat.

"I love having a day to be creative, have fun and bring all of our programs together," said Witman. "We have seven programs across Lancaster County and serve over 200 families, so being able to offer an event to bring them together in one place where the teachers and administration are also having fun is special. I also like seeing community members come out and enjoy the free festivities."

The event will feature dozens of decorated vehicle trunks filled with candy, prizes and games for trick or treating, and a prize will be awarded for the best decorated trunk. There will also be food trucks, an awe-inspiring magician, a scholastic book fair, campfires and a s'mores station.

Local Scouting America Troops 82 and 83 will be on hand to provide assistance as needed.

"This year, our company theme is 'Super Mario,' so I will be there as Princess Daisy," said Witman, "and we'll have all the characters represented, including two of the cutest toad babies. Previously, we've done 'Inside Out,' 'Target,' and 'Wicked.' I always find a way to be the princess though."

Steps to Success originally established its trunk or treat event in 2021. Since its inception, the outreach event has steadily grown in popularity to a point where it is now a community happening.

"It started as a result of COVID, and we have continued to hold it to bring the community in to see what we are all about, which is community and early childhood education," said Witman. "It started out as a small idea and mostly just the Steps to Success immediate community, but it has evolved into a bigger event. Each year it gets a little bigger."

Currently, Steps to Success has 272 children enrolled across all of its programs, with more families registered on wait lists. Steps to Success employs 42 staff members - 36 teachers, five administrative personnel and a cook.

"Our vision is to partner with the community to provide resources and services to staff, children and families and to enable all to grow to be productive citizens," said Witman.