Because it provides a valuable service, Steps to Success is an essential member of the community. Steps to Success is as much a part of the Conestoga Valley area as fun, treats and costumes are a part of Halloween.

"It's a great way for us to bring the community together," said Adriana Witman, Steps to Success' early education administrative director of the learning center's upcoming event. "We're not just about child care; we're also about the community. But we want to showcase what we do. It's a friendly, family, fall event."

In partnership with Zion Lutheran Church Leola, Steps to Success Childcare and Early Learning Center will present this year's edition of its annual Trunk or Treat outing from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at the church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola. The lively event is free to attend, but attendees are asked to register at http://www.stepstosuccessinc.com/trunkortreat.

Trick or treat in Leola will be held this year on Halloween, Friday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m.

"(Trunk or Treat is) like trick or treat in somebody's trunk in a parking lot," said Witman. "I enjoy seeing the families come together. Typically, we don't see the families together in one place at one time. But we get a lot of people from the community as well. We know a lot of the faces who come, and other people are coming out through word of mouth."

It's the 20 themed and decorated vehicle trunks that give the event its name. Presented by community partners, local businesses and individual community members, the trunks offer visitors selections of treats, coloring pages and candy.

Steps to Success' Trunk or Treat will also offer prizes for the most creatively decorated trunks and the best costumes. There will also be local nonprofits on hand supplying information about the services and products that they provide.

"People come and dress up, and we kind of go all out," said Witman, who will be dressed as Glinda from "Wicked." "It's always so much fun. Everybody is so happy and excited. People you wouldn't typically see come out. The atmosphere is very upbeat."

In addition, Steps to Success' Trunk or Treat will feature a book fair, themed "Wicked Good Reading." Food will be available through food trucks, and there will be a fire pit and a s'mores station, as well as bounce houses, slides and a photo booth.

More than 200 individuals are expected to attend the event.

It's been four years since Steps to Success started staging its Trunk or Treat.

"In 2021, there were still COVID restrictions," said Witman. "We've continued it every year, and we added something every year to make it bigger. Now it's an integral part of what we do."

Currently, 277 children from 6 weeks to 12 years old are enrolled in Steps to Success' seven child care and early education programs, 203 of whom reside in the Conestoga Valley School District. In 2020, a total of 90 kids were enrolled in Steps to Success' programs.

"We've just kind of grown, and I think there's more growth in our future," said Witman. "Right now, we're pretty happy with the way things have gone. It's been a lot of fun over the last five years. It's been fun to experience the journey along the way, and Trunk or Treat has grown with us."

Of the 39 individuals employed by Steps to Success, 33 are teachers. Steps to Success, which was founded by executive director Michelle Harbaugh in 1995, is funded through private pay and government-subsidized child care.

"Trunk or Treat allows us to showcase how we've grown over the last five years and the great work that we're doing at this time," said Witman. "The dedication to the community and the work we do is super important to us. That's why we keep holding the Trunk or Treat event."