KU Center for Community Outreach hosts the 2024 Trunk-or-Treat event at the Dole Institute

November 18, 2024 - Features

by Travis Lamb | Public Educator

A KU student handing out candy to a child dressed as a princess at the KUCCO Trunk-or-Treat event. Photo by Kenna McNally.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024, aliens, ninja turtles, and Ghostbusters braved the 25 mile-an-hour wind gusts to attend KU Center for Community Outreach’s 3^rd annual Trunk-or-Treat event at the Dole Institute of Politics. KUCCO worked with multiple student groups across campus to host nearly 60 decorated trunks staffed by over 100 volunteers. Baby Jay flew in for the festivities and was looking “Fa-Boo-Lous” as well!

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Baby Jay “lands” for a photograph with a child dressed as a Ghostbuster at the KUCCO Trunk-or-Treat event. Photo by Kenna McNally.

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Firemen and paramedics from Station 5 of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical answer questions from an interested child and adult at the KUCCO Trunk-or-Treat event. Photo by Kenna McNally.

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Dottie, the Lawrence Public Library’s Bookmobile, was at Trunk-or-Treat for guests of all ages to check out a book or pick up some candy. Photo by Kenna McNally.

Over 400 guests of all ages navigated multiple rows of trunks in the Dole Institute parking lot throughout the evening, gathering candy from various KU student organizations. Attendees also visited with firemen from Station 5 of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, as well as Lawrence Public Library staff at Dottie, the Library’s Bookmobile.

Members of the Dole Institute’s Student Advisory Board volunteered inside the Dole Institute by welcoming guests in the museum and facilitating activities, which included scavenger hunts, trivia questions, coloring, and an American flag puzzle. Visitors also had an opportunity to make their own campaign button with a button maker.

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Children make their own custom campaign buttons at the Dole Institute. Photo by Kenna McNally.

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Dole Institute Student Advisory Board members pose for a photograph in their ‘I’m Just a Bill’ “costumes” with a beautiful Kansas fall sunset in the background at the KUCCO Trunk-or-Treat event. Photo by Kenna McNally.

Special thanks to the planning team of KU’s Center for Community Outreach, Lawrence Public Library, Station 5 of Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, and Baby Jay for making this year’s Trunk or Treat one to remember!

Travis Lamb is a public educator at the Dole Institute of Politics. With over 20 years of combined experience in education, administration, and law, Travis has a proven record of excellence in civics and humanities education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of North Texas and a Juris Doctor from Washburn School of Law.

About the Dole Institute
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, a vibrant forum for civil discourse, civic engagement, and idea exchange across the political spectrum, features historical archives, exhibits, and public programs for all ages. Inspired by the public service of native Kansan, veteran, legislator, and statesman Senator Bob Dole and his wife Senator Elizabeth Dole, visitor galleries feature changing exhibits, the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall, architectural-scale stained glass American flag, and September 11 memorial.