Payton Shoenfelt loves Halloween. Now the Manheim Central High School sophomore is hoping to share her enthusiasm for the holiday with the community. She's organizing a Trunk or Treat, an event hosted by Manheim Central Student Council. The Trunk or Treat will be held on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the back parking lot of the school, 400 Adele Ave.

"I came up with the idea for this," she stated. "I wanted to do something fun for the community."

As Payton explained, Trunk or Treat is open to anyone in the Manheim community with children age 14 and under. "Students who have cars and also a bunch of businesses will be getting together to hand out candy," she stated. "The cars will be decorated, and we'll give out candy from the trunk. It's a fun way to go trick or treating in one safe, condensed area." She encourages participants to bring a bag to collect their candy.

Donations will be accepted at the event for the school's Mini-THON, which will be held in the spring. "Mini-THON helps to raise money for kids who are struggling with pediatric cancer," Payton remarked. "It's part of the bigger Penn State event called THON." Trunk or Treat is one of several small fundraisers for Mini-THON held throughout the school year.

Payton, who will be dressed as a scarecrow for the Trunk or Treat, said she loves Halloween for many reasons. "I love that everybody gets to dress up in fun costumes. I love going around and getting candy, and I just love the chance to celebrate," she explained. "It's just a really fun holiday."

She noted that the Trunk or Treat will be held the night before trick-or-treat night in the Manheim community, and she encourages people to come out for a fun event.

"It's going to be a great time for people to get together and have a good time while getting lots of candy," she said. "And it's also a chance to support a great fundraiser at the same time. I hope people will come out to celebrate Halloween and to give whatever they can toward Mini-THON."