Trick-or-Treating For Charity
Teen stars shine at Camp Ronald McDonald Halloween Carnival
Ana Maria Perez de Taigle and Debby Ryan were two of the stars at the Camp Ronald McDonald Halloween Carnival. (Photo: Gerri Miller)
Halloween came early for hundreds of kids who got to meet and mingle with their favorite teen stars at the annual Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times holiday event that raises money for children and their families who are coping with serious illness. It was a fun-filled day of rides, games (with prizes!), yummy food, meet-and-greet sessions, and storytelling—the stars took turns reading books to kids and had just as much fun as the children did! Celebs told us why it was so important for them to participate—and what they'll be wearing this year for Halloween.
* "Camp Ronald McDonald is a charity very close to my heart because I had a cousin who had cancer," said Camp Rock's Ana Maria Perez de Taigle. "It was very rare and he was the oldest surviving patient of that kind of stomach cancer. He's fine and he's 14 now." Last year, she and her Camp Rock pals dressed up like High School Musical characters for Halloween—she was Ryan, Joe Jonas was Troy, Demi Lovato was Gabriella, and Meaghan Jette Martin was Sharpay. This year she'll be the Queen of Hearts.
* Suite Life on Deck's Debby Ryan came because "I wanted to show a little love and support." She had fun teaming up with Ana Maria to read a book aloud at the storytelling tent, and she told us she had already worn her Halloween costume to an early party—she and a friend dressed up like the members of the band Panic! at the Disco.
* "I think it's great that this foundation helps kids who aren't so fortunate feel better and have a little more fun," said Madison Pettis (Cory in the House, The Game Plan). "Kids sometimes look up to celebrities as role models, but these kids are my role models because they're so strong and optimistic even though they're going through really difficult challenges," she adds. Madison, who'll star in a Muppets NBC Christmas special called Letters to Santa in December, will be "punk cheerleader" for Halloween.
*Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie attends the Camp Ronald McDonald carnival every year. "It's great. Shaking someone's hand and signing an autograph makes them smile and it makes you feel good," he said. His Halloween outfit? "The Superman costume I wore in first grade. It won't fit, but it will make for a laugh!" Co-star Jennifer Stone, wearing a black dress with skulls all over it, was happy to be there too. "Cancer is a horrible thing that not only happens to the children but to their families, so I love that they have a place to go away and have fun," she said. Her favorite past costume? Marie Antoinette. "I had the really tall wig and the huge poufs on the side of my dress. I couldn't get through doorways very easily!"
* "We're big supporters of Camp Ronald McDonald and we come every year," said Suite Life on Deck stars Cole and Dylan Sprouse. They weren't sure of their Halloween costume plans, but one of their past favorites was perfect for twins—they were Doublemint Gum!
* "I'm so incredibly happy to be here," declared Hannah Montana's Emily Osment. "Camp Ronald McDonald is wonderful because it gives these kids a chance to have fun and get their minds off things, it provides for the family and the brother and sisters, and it lets these kids be normal kids. I'm really happy it gives them something fun to do." Emily, who's considering wearing a pirate costume for Halloween, has the Hannah Montana movie and Disney Channel's Dadnapped due next year.
* "Just to be able to help these kids in any way and see them smile—it's something I feel really blessed to be able to do," said iCarly's Jennette McCurdy, who took part in an autograph signing with co-star Nathan Kress. "If you can help these kids forget about their cancer and other illnesses they're facing and have one normal week of being able to do fun stuff, that's something that I want to support," he said. Jennette, whose favorite childhood costume was an Eloise outfit her mom made, plans to be Little Red Riding Hood this year. But Nathan wasn't sure he'd have time for Halloween at all, since he'll be on the set all day on October 31 and has to fly to Minneapolis the next day to promote iCarly: iGo to Japan (see Pop-Corn for more on that). "I'll be busy packing," he explained.
* "Camp Ronald McDonald is a great organization that helps kids and families affected by cancer. For me to be able to give back to the community and help give back in any way possible, I'm ready to do it," said Josh Hutcherson (Journey to the Center of the Earth). While his favorite past costumes were Batman and Buzz Lightyear—complete with pop-out wings—he's going as vampire Edward Cullen from Twilight this year.
* "Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times helps kids and their families come out to enjoy activities, and they can be together and not think about what's going on in their lives," said Bailee Madison of Nickelodeon's upcoming movie Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh. Bailee hopes that the leprechaun costume she'll wear this year will be better than the cat costume her mom made her one year—the tail fell off while she was trick-or-treating!
* Victoria Justice is a big fan of Camp Ronald McDonald. "It's awesome that they're reaching out to these kids and supporting the families," she said. Laughing about the ketchup bottle costume she wore in sixth grade, she said she and her friends will dress as nerds this year. She and Simon Curtis will play the villains in the Nickelodeon movie Spectacular! early next year, and Simon was at the event too—he's a leukemia survivor so it's very important to him to help. Diagnosed at 10, he went into remission but had chemotherapy for two and a half years to make sure the cancer didn't come back—and fortunately, it never did. The experience gave him a real appreciation for life, and as a survivor, he said, "I'm happy to spread a positive message to kids."
* "I've been here three years in a row and I love and adore what they do for the kids. I love to come and support them," said Taylor Dooley (Shark Boy and Lava Girl), who was planning to dress as actress Audrey Hepburn this Halloween. Taylor will be seen on an episode of House in December.
* "It's always fun to get to give back, especially at events like these because you get to see kids who are either battling cancer now or are recovered, and get to talk to them and have fun with them. It's a good atmosphere and good to be a part of it," said Jason Dolley (Corey in the House). While his favorite past costume was Darth Vader, this year he plans to wear a skull mask "and scare trick or treaters who come to my house." Co-star Maiara Walsh was there too. "I really like the message and being part of making a difference," she said.
* With happy memories of the surf camp she went to, Madison Davenport (Kit Kittredge) said she loves supporting the idea of kids being able to go to Camp Ronald McDonald. This year, she'll be a 1920s gangster for Halloween, but her favorite childhood outfit was the fairy costume she wore when she was 3. "It kept falling apart, but I loved it because I knew that my mom made it for me," said Madison, who'll go to Hawaii in January to film The Lost Medallion.
Visit the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times Web site for more information on the charity.
Gerri Miller is a contributing writer for Scholastic News Online.
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