Goodwill of Southern Nevada helping celebrate Halloween

It's a hallowed time for many Americans.

Halloween is just around the corner, with its tricks, treats, thrill of finding the perfect costume and spooky ambiance in tow.

But in the current economic climate, a much more ghoulish fact looms as well.

"What's really scary is the unemployment rate (of Nevada) at 14.2 percent," said Kathy Topp, spokesperson for Goodwill of Southern Nevada .

The nonprofit organization wants to help Las Vegans celebrate and shop savvy this year in its eight stores.

Americans are expected to spend about $72.31 each on decorations, costumes and candy, which feeds into a total of about $6.86 billion in Halloween spending this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

Goodwill has always been a bedrock for Halloween finds, but it's more than second-hand options, said Chris Matlock, director of retail. Each store has space devoted to new costumes, many still in original packaging, for everyone in the family (pets included), and staff members are available to help comb through merchandise elsewhere in the store.

"Every day, there are new items to put out," Matlock said. "Halloween is our largest time of the year."

Michael Morgan, retail merchant and trainer for Goodwill, has an eye for finding costumes in the aisles of of the thrift store . At the North Las Vegas location, 1280 W. Cheyenne Ave., Morgan outfitted a family of mannequins as a roach, King Tut and Lady Gaga, a costume put together head-to-toe for $31.93.

Morgan said the Goodwill aisles are ripe with "anything you can think of," and employees, such as himself, have ideas for those starting at the ground level. A mannequin at one Goodwill is dressed as "static cling," Morgan's vision of a black leotard with socks, scarves and other riff raff pinned to it .

To drop prices even lower, Matlock suggested shopping during colored tag sales and discount days. A complete list of promotions, which range from 50 to 75 percent off, is highlighted on Goodwill's website. Be wary of Wednesdays, though, he said, because senior discount day is quite popular. Although prices can be low, the heights to which each purchase can help Southern Nevadans get back to work could be great this year, Topp said.

At press time, 957 men and women were placed with steady income via Goodwill of Southern Nevada in 2011, and projections suggest the organization would reach a record by the end of the year.

"Goodwill can't do that if people don't shop and donate," Topp said.

She dubbed Goodwill of Southern Nevada "Halloween Headquarters" and said customers can be part of the whole cycle of support by "after Halloween, just donating it back."

For more information, visit sndgoodwill.org.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.