Great Halloween costumes from ARC Thrift Stores as modeled by ARC workers (PHOTOS)

Most of us know Halloween costumes pieced together from thrift store items are better than the pricey, pre-made ones. And for those who don't, the folks at ARC Thrift Stores, who advocate for and employ many people with developmental challenges, put together a series of such outfits, then asked actual...

By Michael Roberts

October 12, 2011

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Most of us know Halloween costumes pieced together from thrift store items are better than the pricey, pre-made ones. And for those who don't, the folks at ARC Thrift Stores, who advocate for and employ many people with developmental challenges, put together a series of such outfits, then asked actual employees to model them. Look below to see a slew of them, followed by info about an online contest that could help you get everything you need for free. ARC press release:

Arc Thrift Stores Gives Away $200 Shopping Spree this Halloween By creating a cartoon costume online, users have a chance to win $200 in store

DENVER, October 11, 2011 -- Arc Thrift Stores is offering shoppers a chance to win $200 at the Arc Thrift Store of their choice. On the Halloween website www.archalloween.com, users can build a cartoon costume and submit it for a chance to win a daily giveaway of $20 in store credit or the grand prize of $200.

On the website users create a cartoon costume from dozens of choices in make-up, clothing and accessories. They can print their creation, share it on their Facebook wall, and submit it to the contest. Entries will be posted on Arc Thrift Store's Facebook page for fans to vote on. The photo with the most "likes" by October 31, 2011 will win the grand prize.

The website also offers users 24 costume ideas that can be downloaded, including lists of the elements that are needed to build them. They can bring these lists to any Arc Thrift Store and find all the necessary pieces for an affordable, fun, and unique costume.

The contest is open to Colorado residents over 18 years of age, and users can vote on the costumes to determine the winner at Arc's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ArcThriftStores. Daily winners and the grand prize winner may choose any Arc Thrift Store at which to use their in-store credit.

The website will be up throughout the month of October with the grand prize awarded on October 31. All votes for the winning costume need to be in by 11:59pm on October 30, 2011.

About Arc Thrift Stores: Arc Thrift Stores (www.arcthrift.org) operates 20 thrift stores throughout Colorado and provides funding to Arc Chapters, which in turn provide advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. Arc Thrift Stores is one of the largest employers of individuals with developmental disabilities in the state of Colorado.

More from our News archive: "Goodwill hunting for Halloween costumes."

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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