Students Put the Fun in Torresdale Library's Halloween Family Fun Night

Holy Family University education majors Aubrey Beckler, Leah Ford, Alicia Oberlander, Geniel Johnson and Zalma Azamar-Rojas restored the fun to the Torresdale Library’s Halloween Family Fun by reviving and running what had once been an annual event.

While attending the library for a presentation on library services as part of her curriculum as a future educator, Beckler discovered that the program had been eliminated in recent years and inquired if she and her classmates could bring the programming back.

Beckler met with Ann Hornbach '00, Branch Manager and Children’s Librarian, and Linda Colwell-Smith '83, Torresdale Library Friends President, to discuss funding and programming.  On October 24, Beckler and her team staged the room, read books, organized crowds and sent every participating child home a gift bag stuffed with crafting supplies.

“Our October 24 event was the most successful program held at Torresdale Library in years,” Hornbach said in a letter of thanks sent to Holy Family University Acting Dean of the School of Education Dr. Patricia Joergensen.  “A total of 91 people were in attendance (48 children and 43 adults). I do not exaggerate when I say we could have not have pulled this off without the help of the HFU students. Every one of them was kind, courteous, and professional  They were great with the children and their caregivers, and I believe each of them is building the foundation to become successful teachers.  As an alumna of Holy Family (Class of 2000), I am proud of these remarkable students.  The excellence of this fine institution continues.”

The success of the Halloween program has the students teaming for a Winter Wonderland-themed holiday program at Torresdale Library in December.