Women's Health October 24, 2026 0 Comments

How One Guy’s Insane 8,000 Halloween Costumes Giveaway Sparked a Nationwide Wave of Joy You Won’t Believe

Ever wonder why some kids’ Halloween costumes look like they stepped straight out of a blockbuster movie, while others make do with little more than a spooky sheet? That stark contrast isn’t just a matter of style – it’s often about what families can realistically afford. A decade ago, Christophe Waggoner, a Halloween enthusiast freshly moved into an Austin neighborhood, found himself moved by this very disparity. Watching kids in his new community wander door-to-door in colorful costumes, he couldn’t help but notice those less fortunate, quietly admiring the flashier outfits they wished they could call their own. Remembering his own childhood yearning for something truly special, Christophe asked himself a simple but powerful question: what if every child could wear the costume they dreamed of, no matter their circumstances? What started as a humble collection of costumes in a garage has now evolved into October’s Child, a bustling Austin charity that has gifted nearly 8,000 costumes – free of charge – enabling thousands of families to embrace the magic of Halloween with joy and creativity. Intrigued by how one man’s determination turned into a community movement? LEARN MORE

A decade ago, one Halloween lover started collecting costumes for kids who couldn’t afford them. Now, his Austin charity helps thousands celebrate Halloween with joy and creativity — at no cost.

Finally! I have trick-or-treaters! Christophe Waggoner thought as he saw the kids roaming his new Austin, Texas, neighborhood decked out in colorful costumes. Christophe previously lived in an apartment, where he never got visitors on Halloween. Now, he was excited to participate in the candy-gathering ritual.

As Christophe spent his first Halloween handing out treats, he noticed how some children arriving in simple, homemade costumes — like cut-up ghost sheets — would gaze longingly at other kids’ expensive Star Wars or The Wizard of Oz store-bought costumes. With a heavy heart, Christophe recalled his own childhood, growing up without the funds for fancy costumes. As a kid, he had always wished for something truly special.

That’s when he got an idea: What if all children could celebrate Halloween and wear the costume they really want?

Working as a mystery shopper for resale stores, Christophe realized he was in the perfect position to gather up some costumes to give out the following Halloween.

In 2017, he officially began October’s Child. He gathered costumes year-round and hosted a costume giveaway for his community that October. It was a resounding success.

Christophe collects and stores all the costumes in multiple storage units year-roundChristophe Waggoner

Inside the magical free costume giveaway

For the first five years, costumes, masks and accessories — purchased mostly at resale stores and Goodwill — packed Christophe’s garage.

But as word spread of his initiative, he soon had to rent a storage unit to accommodate the increasing flow of costumes donated by individuals and business partners. When his storage unit filled up, Christophe rented a second unit, then a third, then a fourth.

At his once-a-year distribution event, he would pick a spot in a church or school parking lot or apartment yard, and set up tents to display the costumes. Community members would line up to check out the Halloween costumes and decorations, and pick out whatever they wanted.

Costumes are distributed before Halloween for kiddos to enjoyChristophe Waggoner

What started as a simple neighborhood project out of Christophe’s garage has blossomed into a lifelong passion—one which has given away close to 8,000 costumes to bring the magic of Halloween to families in need.

This year alone, Christophe expects to give away more than 4,000 costumes to kids, adults, babies and even pets.

The event will be held in a 7,200-square-foot area in a field next to a school, and as always, the costumes remain completely free. Christophe loves that the children, bubbling with excitement, don’t have to ask, “Mommy, can we afford this?”

He remembers seeing a little girl having so much fun as she put on a wig, ran over to her dad and said, “Guess who I am?”

A grateful community on Halloween

Keri Stern, mother of teens Mia, Izzy and Jesse, has been taking her kids to October’s Child events since it started. Her kids have always found pieces they love — from characters like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to cool wigs and princess costumes.

“Nobody leaves with bare bones! If someone wants to be a dragon and Christophe doesn’t have a dragon costume, he will find enough pieces to put together to make a dragon costume,” says Keri. “It’s a lot of work that he puts in. Yet at the end, he downplays how much he’s done. It’s really born out of this love he has to help.”

October's Child has given away almost 8,000 costumes — October’s Child has given away almost 8,000 costumesChristophe Waggoner

Christophe also remembers when a grateful father approached him, shook his hand and simply said, “Thank you so much.” The man was relieved that he didn’t have to spend money on costumes when funds were tight.

This deeply touched Christophe, who gets choked up when he talks about what October’s Child means to him.

“Seeing all the laughter, smiles and everybody having a good time makes me emotional,” he says. “I know this is something they probably couldn’t have done otherwise. It makes me feel so good to help!”

A version of this article originally appeared in the November 2, 2026 print issue of Woman’s World.