Andrew Holter, the Republican candidate to serve as state representative for Pennsylvania’s 118th District, hands out candy to Ivory McCabe, 6, while her mother, Lindsay, watches on. Holter was one of many volunteers distributing candy at Sunday’s trunk or treat at the Polish American Veterans Club in Plains Township.
Kevin Carroll | Times Leader
Click here to subscribe today or Login.
PLAINS TWP. — Two very important, very different upcoming events were covered by the Luzerne County Young Republicans on Sunday afternoon: Election Day and Halloween.
With just 13 days away from Halloween, and 16 days until Election Day, the Young Republicans held a trunk or treat event at the Plains Polish American Veterans club.
“We had almost 300 people RSVP for today,” said John Lombardo, the chairman of the Luzerne County Young Republicans. “This was a good, safe way to get involved in the community and do something nice for the kids.”
A large wave of children and their parents waited in line around 1 p.m. on Sunday as volunteers signed everyone in. The event was free, but it was requested that attendees RSVP online beforehand. There was music and a costume contest for the children, with the winner to receive a Make America Great Again hat.
In addition to candy for the kids, the Young Republicans had something for their parents, as well — voter registration forms, in case anyone hadn’t already registered to vote.
“Tomorrow [Oct. 19] is the last day to get registered,” Lombardo said. “We want to make sure everyone that can be registered does so.”
Once checked in, the kids could proceed around the loop as cars full of candy awaited them. A variety of people were stationed at the cars — volunteers from the Republican Party, elected officials and hopeful candidates got a chance to meet some local families and make the kids’ day with some goodies.
Andrew Holter barely had time to speak with reporters in between the wave of costumed children. Holter’s a local volunteer firefighter and paramedic who decided to run for the position of state representative for Pennsylvania’s 118th District.
“I’ve been campaigning since June of last year,” Holter said. “I decided to run to bring some much-deserved attention to our EMS workers, who often don’t get the credit they deserve.”
Holter acknowledged that unseating the Democrat incumbent Rep. Mike Carroll will be tough.
“The incumbent’s been in the seat for a long time,” Holter said. “It’s going to be really close.”
Much like most of the attendees of Sunday’s trunk or treat, Holter found out about the event via Facebook and wanted to participate.
“I may not get any votes out of this, but I wanted to be here to support the community,” Holter said. “It’s a good time for everybody.”
Ivory McCabe, a 6-year-old from Shavertown accompanied by her mother, Lindsay, certainly seemed to be having a good time. Dressed as Anna from the “Frozen” movie franchise, the young McCabe eagerly displayed her bag of candy, almost filled to the top.
“She’s so excited to get her candy,” Lindsay McCabe said. “I’m so glad we found this on Facebook.”
Volunteer Mike Cammisa, a Hazleton resident, echoed the sentiments expressed by both Lombardo and Holter.
“These types of events are extremely important,” Cammisa said. “We want to be involved in the community, and the kids love it.”