Leto Castagnoli waved her wand and summoned a broom from across the lobby.
The 6-year-old clad as a witch was at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for MMI’s annual trick-or-treat event on Oct. 20.
Leto, accompanied by her mother and aunt, was one of more than 700 guests — a record turnout — who flowed through trick-or-treating stations set up throughout the building’s first floor.
It was the family’s second time at the event. It was ideal, mom Jackie Willmes said, to give kids like Leto a great Halloween experience with no expectations.
“The genuine happiness makes it worth it,” Willmes said. “It’s just a really lovely event.”
Meanwhile, a line of costumed kids and adults snaked out the doors for nearly two hours.
The great turnout reinforces the role MMI plays in the wider community, said MMI Director Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD.
“It’s a lot of fun for us and for our clients,” Dr. Mirnics said. “We can connect on a human level rather than just a provider-patient relationship. This is a place where everyone belongs.”
Elsewhere in the building, 101 Dalmatians roamed loose. Er … maybe more like a dozen Dalmatians.
The MMI Psychology Department decided to adopt a theme based on the popular Disney movie. Their table, featuring cardboard cutouts of Dalmatian puppies, was manned by Cruella DeVille, two “dog catchers” and several black-and-white pups.
“It’s heartwarming to give back to the community,” said Dani Porter, administrative associate in the department. “It’s nice the kids can enjoy Halloween without anything being too spooky.”
Rachel Schumacher, PhD, assistant professor in the psychology department, practiced with her clients ahead of the event. They worked on what to say and how to trick-or-treat without using words.
Wizards, doctors, superheroes and princesses visited more than 30 tables to collect candies and trinkets. One table even let guests touch fuzzy caterpillars.
Attendees could also collect balloons and pick their own pumpkins from a pile of more than 400 donated gourds out front.
KellyLynn Wakehouse dressed as a key piece of Taylor Swift concert attire — a friendship bracelet.
She’s been attending trick-or-treat and other MMI programing for more than 20 years. Because of that, people at MMI are friends and family.
Wakehouse — who has seen Taylor Swift perform 10 times, including last year in Kansas City — wore a giant friendship bracelet that read “Glitter Era.” Her wheelchair was adorned with other Taylor Swift merchandise.
Farther down the line to enter, Garrett Palmer, 4, posed for a photo with a silver skeleton.
Halloween presents a lot of barriers to kids like Garrett, said his mom Maggie McGlade Palmer. Surfaces change from cement to grass, and some homes have steps — with or without railings.
“This is his home away from home. He feels so confident here,” McGlade Palmer said. “At this event, he’s on the same playing field.”