For residents in assisted living communities, visits from trick-or-treaters can provide a joyful experience that makes the residents’ Halloween truly special and memorable.

“The residents look forward to our trick-or-treat event every year because it offers the opportunity to reminisce about days gone by,” said Beth O’Connor, activities coordinator at Mill Creek Senior Living Community in Marquette. “Whether it’s the memory of their childhood Halloween experiences or their children’s along with remembering the tradition of passing out candy in their own homes. The kids in costume that visit Mill Creek brighten the day and bring a smile our faces.”

Due to this, Mill Creek Senior Living and Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care in Marquette hold trick-or-treating events for area youth each year and encourage trick-or-treaters to come out and show off their costumes to the residents while gathering treats.

“It’s important to bring youth into our community to interact with our residents because it brings so much joy to all parties involved,” said Lindsay Hemmila, director of sales and marketing at Brookridge Heights. “One of the biggest joys our residents get is when children are around … It makes them young again and (they) reflect back on the days they went door-to-door for candy, and the traditions made with their own families.”

Front Joe Kelly and back Jack Kelly dressed up to trick or treat at the 6th annual Mill Creek Senior living trick or treating event on Wednesday Oct. 30th. (Journal photo by Amy Grigas)

This afternoon, Brookridge Heights is planning to hold a parade of 80 children in the Brookridge Memory Support Community to kick-off its Halloween celebration, then will offer trick-or-treating for area youth and families starting at 3:30 p.m., Hemmila said.

Trick-or-treaters will be able to go door-to-door at the assisted living community, as there will be “porch lights” printed and hung up at “each door that a resident wishes to hand candy out at,” Hemmila said.

The trick-or-treating event will be held through early evening, she said, noting organizers didn’t put a specific end time on the event as they recognize many people may work until 5 p.m. and want families to “come and go at their own leisure.”

The event will also offer refreshments and a photo booth for families to have their pictures taken, Hemmila said.

“We will also have snacks and drinks available for our guests so it will make a nice stop to relax and get rehydrated and put some food in your belly,” she said.

Madelyn Czarny dressed as a flamingo during the 6th annual Mill Creek Senior living trick or treating event on Wednesday Oct. 30th. (Journal photo by Amy Grigas)

At Mill Creek Senior Living in Marquette, trick-or-treaters and families were welcomed into the community Wednesday night for the sixth annual Family Trick-or-Treat event.

“Assisted living residents await kids at apartment doors while trick-or-treaters fill the halls enjoying the warmth of indoor fun,” O’Connor said. “Our memory care community gets into the spirit in a group setting with little pumpkins and witches making the evening spooktacular. Visitors are also welcome to venture over to our independent community oozing with delicious tricks and treats.”

Beyond treats they collected while going door-to-door, children and families were also able to purchase cider and donuts at the event, with all proceeds going to benefit Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice in “honor of Hospice and Palliative Care Month this November,” O’Connor said.

Overall, O’Connor and Hemmila are glad the communities can welcome trick-or-treaters this Halloween season, as the experience can provide joy for all involved, they emphasized.

Brookridge Heights is located 1901 Division St., Marquette. Call 906-464-6747 for more information. Mill Creek Senior Living Community is located at 1600 Mill Creek, Marquette and can be reached at 906-225-5512.

Carl Brigman and his mom Jenny Brigman trick or treated during the 6th annual Mill Creek Senior living trick or treating event on Wednesday Oct. 30th. (Journal photo by Amy Grigas)

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.