Twenty little ghosts, ghouls, goblins and fairies invaded Grant South Wednesday evening on a mission to “haunt” for candy.

Children who are living in Hope Haven, a DeKalb County homeless shelter located on 1145 Rushmore, got a chance to enjoy a Halloween party with members of Alpha Phi Alpha and the Black Student Union, and then were taken to Grant South to trick-or-treat.

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha and the BSU assured Hope Haven kids a safe Halloween.

One little boy said he felt safe with NIU students. He added that he liked dressing up the most.

“We all are coming together for one common goal to help the experience of children to be even better,” said Edward Quinn, a senior communication major and member of Alpha Phi Alpha. “Halloween is a time when children enjoy going out, dressing up and getting candy.”

After the Sept. 11 attacks, members of Alpha Phi Alpha and BSU wanted to provide Hope Haven kids with safety.

“People are predicting that something could possibly happen after Sept. 11,” Quinn said. “Our main goal is to provide safety for the children and to make sure everything is good.”

After recurring anthrax scares, children were given tips on how to check their candy, and they were told not to eat treats like apples and oranges.

“The kids are very excited about the party and trick-or-treating,” said Ronika Pinckney, a case manager for Hope Haven.

Pinckney has worked at Hope Haven for one year, and she is in charge of coordinating children activities.