PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Super heroes, royalty and furry creatures by the dozen took over the American Red Cross shelter at Surfside Middle School when a simple Halloween surprise morphed into an extravaganza of make-believe, activities, music and a movie.  

As 40 children gathered to listen to live music, Red Cross staff and shelter adults quickly donned costumes to surprise the crowd.

Before the festivities – organized by the shelter’s nurses – could get fully under way, the children got to dress up in costumes donated by Walmart and selected by the nurses to fit each youngster.  Loud laughter filled the shelter as the children quickly donned their new identities.

Excitement grew as the costumed characters in all sizes and shapes – from five months to 12 years of age – paraded around the shelter to collect cookies, bananas and candy.  With their treat bags full, the kids played games, colored and finally settled in for a “night at the movies” featuring “Muana.” 

Activities like this help to lighten the mood for those impacted by Hurricane Michael. In addition to shelter, food and medical attention, the Red Cross strives to provide emotional relief to disaster victims; this is made possible by the generosity of the American people and compassionate partners such as Walmart.