Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University women's basketball team is collaborating with The Survivor Empowerment Center (S.E.C.) and the Dentmon Center to organize a 'Halloween Truck or Treat' event. This initiative aims to provide a fun and safe environment for families in Carbondale, Illinois.

Head coach Kelly Bond-White expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "We are extremely excited to be partnering with the Dentmon Center and The Survivor Empowerment Center for such a special event." She highlighted the importance of community engagement, stating that their team will participate by distributing candy, painting faces, and judging costumes.

Scheduled for Saturday, October 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the event will take place at the Dentmon Center in Carbondale. Aaron Lee, Program Director at the Dentmon Center, emphasized the center's commitment to community service: "The Dentmon Center is extremely pleased to partner with SIU Women's Basketball Team, Coach Bond-White and the S.E.C. on this event."

The Survivor Empowerment Center focuses on ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Southern Illinois. Sarah Settles from S.E.C. remarked on the significance of Domestic Violence Awareness month: "October is Domestic Violence Awareness month... this needs to change given this is a crisis that needs attention all year."

Coach Bond-White shared her personal connection to S.E.C.'s mission: "Watching my mother rebuild her life after suffering through domestic violence... makes the work the S.E.C does special to me." She praised both organizations for their ongoing support of survivors.

Community members are encouraged to join both Friday's Take Back the Night march and Saturday's trunk or treat event.

For updates on SIU women's basketball activities, follow them on Twitter at @SIU_WBasketball, Instagram at @SIU_WBasketball, Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiAthletics, or download their mobile app.