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P.S. 186 goes happy haunting for a good cause

November 2, 2011 Denise Romano

BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photos by Denise Romano

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You won’t see any tricks here — these kids are all about givingtreats.

Students at P.S. 186, located at 19th Avenue and 77th Street inBensonhurst, dressed up in their costumed best for the school’sfourth annual Halloween Parade on Monday, October 31. The day wasnot just about getting candy and pretending to be someone else;students also raised money for the Juvenile Diabetes ResearchFoundation.

Students sold paper sneakers for $1 — hundreds of which linethe school hallways — and wrote donors’ names on them. Members ofthe student council also held posters that they made to raiseawareness of juvenile diabetes while they marched.

It’s for a good cause and the kids love it, said PTA presidentElaine Delaney, who organized the parade along with Principal BayanCadotte, adding that the students collected a little more than$2,000 this year as of press time and $4,000 last year.

Student Council President Kristen Valdez, 11, who was dressed asHarry Potter, said raising money for a good cause is satisfying. Ifeel good about raising money for the sick, the fifth-grader said.It’s good to help them – plus I get to wear my costume toschool.

Amaiah Rivera, 10, was dressed as an 80s punk rocker. I likedressing up and having fun, but it’s not only for Halloween, it’sfor diabetes, the fifth-grader said. I’m very proud of myschool.

Summer Demaidi, who was playing a mobster for the day, had mixedfeelings. I am happy today but also sad because we will begraduating soon, she said.

Students dressed as everything from a banana to a ninja marchedaround the block of the school as parents, siblings and pets lookedon. Halloween hits like the theme from Ghostbusters and TheMonster Mash blared over the speakers. Each costumed kid receiveda goody bag, courtesy of the PTA.

We do a lot of kids’ walks like this all over, but P.S. 186 isone of our favorite schools to come to, said Brian Herrick, of theJuvenile Diabetes Research Foundation who also marched in theparade. Each kid raising a couple of dollars adds up to a lot. Itjust feels great to be here.