Commanders host trick-or-treat event for elementary and middle school students

GREATER LANDOVER, Md. — Usually, the Commanders rush for yards at Northwest Stadium. But on Halloween, there was more of a sugar rush going on as hundreds of kids were invited to the stadium for a special trick-or-treat event. 

The Commanders teamed up with Northwest Federal Credit Union to host a candy giveaway Thursday for elementary and middle school students across Prince George's County. Part-owner Mark Ein handed out candy bars from an authentic Commanders football helmet and was clad in an official Commanders jersey worn by players.

"We're just so thrilled to kick off Halloween here at Northwest Stadium," Ein said. "Our ownership group is so committed to being an integral part of this community, where we bring kids in and they get to do fun things and we're out in the community doing things for people throughout the DMV."

President and CEO of Northwest Federal Credit Union Jeff Bently was also on site to give out candy to children, highlighting the union's commitment to the community.

"We're super excited to be here. This is the first year of doing this and our partnership with the Commanders really comes back to community," Bentley said. "That's what Northwest is all about. We are a credit union, so we do banking, but we are not for profit so that money goes back into the community and specifically around kids and that's what makes this partnership so fantastic," Bentley.

Children were given trick-or-treat bags as they walked door to door of the suites on the fourth floor of Northwest Stadium. Businesses and community partners decorated the suites with special themes to handout candy. One suite took on a race car theme. WUSA9 team members Lesli Foster and yours truly were also spotted handing out sugarbombs in the "Candyland" suite. Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller also attended the event, dressed as an Orioles baseball player.

"This is the best day of my life," one participant said. 

Other students said it was the best field trip ever, while some discussed sharing candy with their siblings at home.

Schools that participated included Coral Rice Elementary School and Golson Middle School.