Trick or Treat for Celiac Awareness

Some people claim that May is National Celiac Awareness Month, others say it is October. With the amount of research still needing to be done, I say we claim both! Each month offers different opportunities to raise awareness and collect money to donate to research. Halloween presents the perfect chance in October.

No matter what your plans for Halloween are, there is usually a bit of Trick or Treating being done. Here I present the idea of Trick or Treating for Celiac Awareness. This is not an entirely new idea, people have been Trick or Treating for charity for years. There are several benefits to doing this, and several places to donate to when you’re done. Let’s explore it all!

Benefits of Trick or Treat for Celiac Awareness

• What better way to give your child a sense of community and giving than to have them get directly involved in a cause? They can feel like they are helping others and have a chance to tell everyone how it feels to be gluten free. It’s a win win!

• You can collect money to donate to your favorite Celiac Research facility.

• You can help raise awareness in your community, hopefully making life a little easier.

Where Do I Donate?

• University of Maryland Center for Celiac Disease Research- They are researching everything, from causes to cures to psychological effects.

• University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center- They provide physician training as well as researching for a cure. They also send out “starter kits” for newly diagnosed patients.

• Celiac Sprue Association- Donations help to cover the costs of running the organization. You can designate where your money goes.

• Donate through The Gluten Free Mall- Your money will go toward Celiac research around the world.

I’m Convinced, Now What?

• Information is key! Write a speech, print flyers or get brochures from your local CSA. Make sure you can tell people what you are collecting for, where it will be donated and why it is important.

• Have a fun collection container. Put a handle on a decorated coffee can or make a special box. Make your collection container something eye catching. Don’t put donation money in the same container as your candy, this creates the risk of getting candy dirty and makes the cause seem less important.

• Don’t expect too much! Have fun Trick or Treating. Present your cause to the people you meet and let them decide what to give. Donations are great, but awareness is also a goal.

When you’re done, why not brag a little? As an added fun thing, why not upload some pictures of your efforts to Gling? Let us see your collection container. Tell us how much you collected and how your efforts went. I’m sure I’m not the only one interested in hearing your story!