A grassroots initiative in Tucson, Arizona, is ensuring that families in need can experience the joy of Halloween without the burden of financial strain. Local resident Abby Splittstoesser founded her organization, Para Todos, which translates to “for all,” in response to social media posts from parents struggling to afford costumes for their children last year. Since then, she has collected and thrifted costumes, building an inventory of approximately 40 options ranging from size 3T to youth XXL.
Splittstoesser’s mission focuses on connecting families, particularly in the underserved areas south of Tucson. “The idea behind it is to connect families really anywhere in Southern Arizona, but I’m focusing on South of Tucson because we’re lacking in a lot of services and family programs down here,” she explained. Her collection includes a variety of costumes, from fairy wings and princess outfits to Top Gun pilot uniforms and Ninja Turtle ensembles.
Many families face financial pressures, especially during the Halloween season. According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending reached a record $13.1 billion in 2023, with $1.4 billion allocated specifically for children’s costumes. Splittstoesser aims to alleviate some of that financial burden. She offers direct delivery of costumes to families in need, highlighting the community spirit of her initiative.
One mother, Rea Rollins, shared her gratitude after receiving a gorilla costume for her 9-year-old daughter. Although she initially planned to take public transport to collect the costume, Splittstoesser delivered it to her home instead. “It really blessed my heart because being a single mom I often have to juggle between rent and food or smaller bills and presents/clothes,” Rollins said in a text message. “I’m thankful for local organizations that help our community.”
As of now, seven families have selected costumes from Splittstoesser’s collection, and some have even returned outgrown costumes to support the initiative. Although Para Todos is not yet a registered nonprofit organization, Splittstoesser plans to establish it as an LLC in the near future.
Future Plans for Community Support
Looking ahead, Splittstoesser envisions expanding her efforts by organizing monthly birthday parties for children. She noted the challenges parents face in providing celebrations for their kids, stating, “This is another need that I’ve seen on social media—parents not being able to get kids to come to their kids’ birthday parties.” Each month, children celebrating their birthdays will be invited to communal parties, fostering a sense of community and connection.
Splittstoesser aims to create a space where children do not feel isolated on their special day. “They always say it takes a village, but a lot of people don’t have a village nowadays,” she emphasized. By encouraging local families to get to know one another, she hopes to cultivate a supportive community network.
With two young children of her own, a 7-year-old and a 4-year-old, Splittstoesser strives to instill values of generosity and community service from an early age. “That if we have more than we need, we give it to other people,” she stated, highlighting the importance of collective support.
For those interested in viewing the available costumes, Splittstoesser encourages families to visit the Para Todos Facebook page for details. As Halloween approaches, this initiative not only brings costumes to children but also fosters a spirit of generosity throughout the Tucson community.
