How one family’s idea became an annual Halloween tradition

October 08, 2026

How one family’s idea became an annual Halloween tradition

For Wesley, Halloween is more than a chance to dress up. It’s a day he looks forward to every year.

Wesley, who receives rehabilitation services at Niagara Children’s Centre, loves being around people and has a big personality to match. While traditional trick-or-treating can present accessibility challenges for him, Trunk or Treat lets Wesley enjoy the excitement of Halloween alongside his family and other Centre families.

“Wesley loves seeing everyone having fun,” said his mom, Victoria Godfrey. “He enjoys the decorations and anything that lights up or plays music. Most importantly for him, it’s being surrounded by family and friends and all the chaos that comes with Halloween.”

Wesley, now seven years old, was diagnosed with 21q21 deletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition. He cannot walk or climb stairs and uses a feeding tube, making many traditional trick-or-treating activities inaccessible to him.

For Victoria, finding a way for her children to experience Halloween together was important.

“I wanted my kids to be able to experience Halloween together without limitations,” said Godfrey. “I knew Wesley couldn’t walk up steps or eat the candy that people had to offer, so I started looking for something that would work for everyone.”

That search led her to the concept of Trunk or Treat, where children visit decorated vehicles to collect treats and enjoy Halloween activities in an accessible environment.

In 2021, Godfrey brought the idea to Niagara Children’s Centre, where Wesley has received occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech-language pathology since he was born. The Centre embraced the idea, and what started as one family’s effort to create a more inclusive Halloween experience has become an annual tradition.

“I never imagined it would become an annual tradition,” said Godfrey. “My mind was mostly set on one thing: making sure my kids and other families alike got to experience Halloween together without boundaries.”

This year, families connected to the Centre, including current and past clients, families on our waitlist and those receiving school-based services, are invited to join her at Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 24, where children can visit decorated vehicles throughout the Centre’s parking lot and enjoy Halloween-themed activities with their families.

The event is designed with accessibility in mind, allowing children to participate without the barriers that can come with traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. In addition to candy, families can expect non-edible treats and activities that allow children of different abilities to take part in the fun.

“It’s wonderful to see how this event has grown into something families look forward to every year,” said Noella Klawitter, CEO, Niagara Children’s Centre. “Trunk or Treat gives children and their families an opportunity to celebrate Halloween together in an environment where they can participate, connect and simply enjoy being kids.”

For Victoria, events like Trunk or Treat are important because they create opportunities for families to share experiences that might otherwise be challenging or inaccessible.

“It’s also so important for families to share something that otherwise might be challenging or almost impossible. Having an event geared toward everyone’s needs, surrounded by families who all just ‘get it,’ is an incredibly powerful and rewarding thing.”

When asked what she hopes families take away from Trunk or Treat, Godfrey said she hopes they feel welcomed, included and, most importantly, like they belong.

“I know how challenging day-to-day life can be, and sometimes we feel like we may stand out or we worry if something will be accessible or not. I hope that those worries disappear knowing this event is geared specifically toward families just like ours.”

For Wesley and his family, what began as an effort to make Halloween more accessible has become a tradition they look forward to every year. And for Victoria, she hopes other Centre families leave Trunk or Treat knowing they belong, too.

Photo caption:
Victoria Godfrey, second from left, with her family at last year’s Trunk or Treat on Oct. 25, featuring their 1970s-inspired “Peace & Love” trunk display.