Perry County and the City of Hazard announced the start of a November costume drive intended to help families prepare for next Halloween while reducing household expenses. Donations of new or gently used costumes, masks and accessories are being accepted throughout the month at Ready Set Play on Main Street, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The drive is being run in partnership with city and county organizers and a local small business serving as the collection point. Organizers say the goal is to lower the cost burden for local families next fall, a practical objective in a county where seasonal expenses can stretch household budgets. By collecting reusable costume items, the initiative also seeks to reduce waste and keep usable clothing and accessories in circulation within the community.

Operationally, the campaign is straightforward: donations are accepted all November at a centralized, public location. The choice of a Main Street storefront as the drop‑off point leverages existing pedestrian traffic and the hours are designed to be accessible for working families and volunteers. No additional distribution schedule was announced with the kickoff; organizers plan to store and sort donations for use next year.

Beyond the immediate goal of providing lower‑cost Halloween options, the drive raises broader questions about how local governments and civic organizations address household affordability. Small, targeted campaigns such as this one serve as stopgap relief for consumable seasonal costs, but they also highlight gaps that municipal social services and nonprofit networks may be asked to fill year after year. For residents and policymakers alike, these efforts illustrate how localized, volunteer‑driven programs can complement formal social supports.

The initiative also functions as a form of civic engagement that strengthens community ties. Donation drives create volunteer opportunities, activate Main Street businesses as civic partners and give residents a visible way to assist neighbors. For elected officials and candidates, such programs can influence perceptions of responsiveness and community investment without being partisan; their immediate impact is on household finances and neighborhood cohesion rather than on policy alone.

For those wishing to contribute, items can be dropped off at Ready Set Play on Main Street during regular business hours—Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.—throughout November. Organizers encourage residents to donate items in good condition so they remain safe and usable for children next fall. The drive offers a local, practical approach to reducing family expenses and promoting reuse while engaging Perry County neighbors in a common, seasonal cause.