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Mama Bessie's Cleaners holds annual Halloween party

Mama Bessie's Cleaners hosted its annual Keep the Kids off the Street Halloween Party, but this year, candy and costumes were not the only high points of the event. Like every Halloween party hostess, Margaret Hickem-Smith, owner of Mama Bessie's, gave away candy, hot chocolate and food, but this year, piles of winter clothes, toys and school supplies were up for grabs.

With the help of donations from loyal customers, family and friends, Hickem-Smith organizes the annual gathering to give parents and their kids a safe place to celebrate.

"Most of the time, parents are at home, passing out candy while their kid is trick-or-treating," Hickem-Smith said. "This way, the parents know what their kid is doing, and they can have fun together on Halloween."

This year, Hickem-Smith received toys, socks and hats from the Columbia Fire Department and decided to help families who are struggling to pay for school supplies and winter clothes halfway through the school year.

Customers, churches and businesses chipped in, donating scarves, gloves, clothes and coats for the 150 kids who attended the party.

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