Hallowheels costume contest marks 10th year supporting kids with disabilities

RICHMOND, Va. — The Hallowheels Costume Contest is marking its 10th year, featuring elaborate Halloween costumes built around wheelchairs and other medical equipment while raising money for families of children with disabilities.

This year’s entries include a cabbage patch theme featuring Vivian, along with Thomas the Tank Engine, Oscar and Josie. Votes in the contest benefit CATS, or Child Assistive Technology Services, a nonprofit that collects equipment children have outgrown, refurbishes it and provides it to other children for free.

The organization says the equipment is critical for daily life and can cost thousands of dollars out of pocket if insurance does not cover it. To vote or learn more, visit hallowheels.org.

Check out a sampling of the costumes:

Contest celebrates families, funds equipment

Erika Jenkins said the event brings families together to celebrate the season and support access to durable medical equipment statewide.

“All of our children get awards. They get superlatives,” Jenkins said. “You know, it’s more about bringing families together, celebrating their hard work, celebrating the season, including the children and, you know, supporting an organization that is giving free, durable medical equipment to children all across the state that are maybe being denied by insurance or their families can’t afford it,”

Other entries include several princess costumes, including an Elsa costume using a gait trainer, a minion costume and a spooky cage built out from a child’s wheelchair.

Annual tradition offers inclusive celebration

Jenkins said families look forward to gathering each year to see friends and costumes together.

“And the kids get excited to see their friends every year. And it’s become almost like an annual tradition of like, we get together once a year, we get to see each other, see our costumes and enjoy all the aspects of the holiday together,” Jenkins said.

Trick-or-treating is not always inclusive for children with disabilities. Last year, Hallowheels raised $18,000. A vote costs $1, with all proceeds supporting the organization.