Not every kid has the luxury of being able to go to the store and purchase the Halloween costume of his or her choice.
Eighty such youngsters currently reside at the VFW National Home for Children in Eaton Rapids, Michigan.
But thanks to two Oxford-based organizations ? North Oakland VFW Auxiliary Post 334 and Miracle Quilts, a local group that makes quilts for wounded troops in hospitals ? those kids will be able to transform themselves into everything from pirates and princesses to cowboys and kitty cats.
The groups are hosting a Halloween costume-making workshop on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 108, located at 130 E. Drahner Rd.
Folks planning to participate are asked to bring their tools, their fabric, their patterns and their talents that day and use them to put a smile on the little faces of those less fortunate.
‘It’s just a comforting thing we can do,? explained Kathy Hubbard, president of VFW Auxiliary Post 334. ‘We don’t think of others a lot because we’re so consumed by our own lives. We just assume everybody in Michigan is on the same page and they’re not.?
Founded in 1925, the VFW National Home for Children is open to the families of active-duty military personnel, veterans and the descendants of VFW and Auxiliary members.
The sprawling campus provides shelter in the form of 42 single-family homes, education, daycare, recreational amenities, food, clothing, healthcare, guidance, stability, security and whatever else is needed to help its residents solve their problems and get back on their feet. Residents can stay there for up to four years at no cost.
‘They live very, very modestly,? Hubbard noted. ‘Their homes are very simple. They don’t have a lot.?
Last year, Post 334 members brought some Halloween costumes to the home and the kids were just thrilled.
‘You could just see their eyes and their faces light up,? Hubbard said. ‘They were so excited to see the different costumes. The ones that were homemade caught their attention. A homemade costume is more appealing to kids, I guess.?
Because the VFW National Home for Children is ‘way out in the middle of nowhere,? as Hubbard put it, there aren’t really opportunities for the children to go trick-or-treating in the traditional sense. Instead, there’s a big Halloween party and a costume parade through the campus, she said.
Folks interested in participating in or donating to the Halloween costume-making workshop are asked to call Hubbard at (248) 830-6324 or Carole Carroll, director of Miracle Quilts, at (248) 321-8669.

If you go, you should know…
n Fabric and patterns will be available to cut and sew, but participants are free to bring their own materials and ideas.
n Irons and cutting mats will be available on site.
n For those who don’t sew, there’s still plenty to do such as ironing, pinning and cutting.
n Costumes may be finished at home, however, the deadline to return them to the post is Oct. 15.
n Donations of costume fabrics (netting, tulle, animal prints, shiny fabric), hats and costume accessories are welcome.
n Lunch is potluck, so please bring a dish to share. Beverages will be available for purchase from the post for a nominal cost.