The DeBerard Family Foundation has partnered with United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee to present the Okeechobee Halloween Extravaganza on October 31, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center located at 4601 Highway 710 in Okeechobee, Florida. This free annual family-friendly event provides local families with a safe environment to celebrate Halloween through trick-or-treat booths and community engagement activities while supporting Healthy Start of Okeechobee, an organization that delivers essential support services for children and families throughout the community.
The event represents a significant collaboration between philanthropic organizations and local businesses dedicated to community welfare. The DeBerard Family Foundation maintains a strong commitment to supporting programs that strengthen families, youth, and community wellness throughout Okeechobee and surrounding regions. The foundation partners with local nonprofits and community organizations to promote health, safety, and opportunity for residents of all ages. This partnership with United Way of St. Lucie & Okeechobee amplifies the impact of both organizations' community development initiatives.
Community participation remains crucial to the event's success, with opportunities still available for additional booth vendors to participate by setting up free booths and distributing candy to children during the festivities. Sponsorship opportunities also remain open for businesses and organizations interested in supporting this community initiative. The event has garnered support from numerous community sponsors including Lake & Trail USA, Wawa, Nunez Air Conditioning, Herndon Landscape Group, Passion Paints LLC, Children's Services Council, Okeechobee Community Emergency Response Team, and Philip DeBerard Injury Attorney.
The Halloween Extravaganza's benefit to Healthy Start of Okeechobee underscores the event's broader community impact beyond seasonal entertainment. Healthy Start provides vital support services that address critical needs for children and families in the Okeechobee area, making this event both a celebration and a mechanism for supporting essential community resources. The partnership between the DeBerard Family Foundation and United Way demonstrates how collaborative efforts between philanthropic organizations can create meaningful opportunities for community engagement while supporting important local services.
For families in Okeechobee and surrounding communities, this event provides a safe, organized alternative for Halloween celebrations while fostering community connections and supporting organizations that work year-round to improve family wellbeing. The continued availability of vendor and sponsorship opportunities indicates the event's growth potential and the ongoing need for community involvement in supporting both the festivities and the beneficiary organization. The Halloween Extravaganza represents how community events can serve dual purposes of providing family entertainment while generating support for vital community services.
