For the third year in a row, Richmond Hill Realtor Andrea McDowell is trading in house keys for Halloween magic. What started as a simple idea to give back has grown into a community-wide effort that brings joy to children at the Memorial Health Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children's Hospital of Savannah each Halloween.

"The costume drive started exactly three years ago," Andrea shared. "God put it on my heart to give back to the community in some capacity, and I truly believe He put this all in place."

Andrea's inspiration came from her own experience in healthcare. Before her career in real estate, she worked as a Registered Nurse in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at Memorial Hospital. "This drive combines my nursing background and my love of wearing costumes at real estate closings," she explained with a smile. "I wanted to bring a smile to children battling acute, chronic diseases and illnesses in hopes they can simply be a kid on Halloween—and that their families can forget, even for just a few moments, that they are in the hospital." If you follow Andrea on social media, you've probably noticed she wears a different costume at home closings. While it's entertaining, it's also intentional—a creative way to spark conversations about a cause close to her heart. When someone asks why she's dressed like a cheeseburger in a lawyer's office, it opens the door for her to share the mission and encourage support when collection time comes around.

For Andrea, a costume is much more than fabric and face paint. "It represents escape from reality, a sense of normalcy, joy, and hope—all things that may feel out of reach in a medical setting," she said.

Each year, the community has rallied behind her mission. "The community has been a huge blessing filling up the drop-off bins each and every year," Andrea said. Last year, 197 costumes were collected. This year, her goal is to reach 200.

She accepts brand-new or very gently used costumes, from infant to adult sizes, as well as accessories. "I just ask that costumes not be scary, like skeletons or monsters, because these may frighten the kids," Andrea added. Gift cards are also welcome to help purchase specific sizes.

Her biggest joy comes on Halloween day itself. "Getting to see the kids dressed up, acting like their characters, laughing, and smiling is everything," she said. "Every year I leave the Children's Hospital with tears of joy knowing the kids didn't miss out on Halloween because they are in the hospital. Costumes may seem small, but to a child battling something so big, they can mean everything."

Costumes can be donated between September 8 and October 17 at local drop-off locations: Elv8 Pilates, Royal Ace Hardware, Great Oaks Bank (Richmond Hill location), and Coastal Chiropractic & Family Wellness.

Andrea hopes this year's drive is the most successful yet—a simple way for neighbors to bring a little magic and a lot of joy to children who need it most.