Syracuse children looking for that last minute costume for Halloween can snap one up Saturday. The Betts Branch Library is hosting the sixth annual Costume Closet giveaway.
If the first giveaway at White Branch library earlier this month was any indication, Tom Walters is with the Onondaga County Libraries says it’s going to be busy.
“I was stunned. I got here about a half hour early and there was probably 45-50 people here and it was like Black Friday," Walters said. "It was just people coming in, just grabbing, grabbing, grabbing, grabbing.”
They began Costume Closet began at Betts Branch in 2019 and he says they’re ready for another big turnout.
“They've been doing it for a number of years and they've got just tons of bags of costumes in the basement.”
This year, the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency joined the effort. Spokesperson Tammy Palmer says it not only helps families in need, but gives people a chance to become good environmental stewards.
“They want to be Batman or they want to be the latest princess. They don't care who wore it before them," Palmer said. "They just know this year they're going to be able to be that character that they want to be, and they're excited about it and people from our community made it happen just by donating instead of trashing that costume.”
Tom Walters says families can get next year's giveaway off to a strong start over the next few weeks.
“Once we get past Halloween, through the month of November, if people want, just bring it over to Betts or to White Branch and we'll make sure that it goes into the pile for costume closet 2025.”
Walters says all costumes are cleaned before the giveaway. It takes place Saturday from 1 to 4:30 at Betts Branch Library on South Salina Street in the Valley.
