By Kayla Newman, ACE Field Correspondent, and student at La Quinta High School

Picture this: it’s Halloween night and you’re walking around your neighborhood with a group of your friends, knocking on doors and collecting hand-held sugary treats. You’re having the time of your life out with your friends, one last time before you’re too old.

Or, maybe you’re at home, handing out candy to smiling princesses and Spidermen of all shapes and sizes.

No matter your evening plans – I have a question for you as the day draws near: What will you be doing this Halloween night? Trick-or treating? Passing out candy? I will be collecting DOTs and having tons of fun!

My school, along with a lot of other schools in the country, is participating in ACE’s DOT Campaign to raise awareness about easy ways to be more environmentally conscious. Collecting 500 DOTs is no easy feat – but I have a solution that is a fun and efficient way of collecting DOTs.

Upon thinking about my plans for Halloween, a brilliant idea came to me: “Would it be possible to collect DOTs and candy at the same time?” At that very moment, I created Trick or DOT. I spoke to my advisor at ACE, then my club and my peers began to get crackin’. Below is how you can rock Trick or DOT at home – or at school!

Trick or DOT – how it works

By ACE staff

Here’s how you rock Trick or DOT at home OR at school: As you’re trick or treating or passing out candy, ask people what their DOT will be and collect them! You can also set up a table at lunch or in a public space at school on the Friday before Halloween to collect DOTs.

Below are 4 simple steps to Trick or DOT success:

1. When folks come to the door, or you arrive at a door, say “Trick or DOT!”

2. Explain what a DOT is (it’s a commitment to Do One Thing to help the environment and cool the climate – anything from carrying a reusable water bottle to unplugging idle electronics)

3. Ask people to write down their DOT on your DOT spreadsheet! (click to download)

4. Groove your way to DOT success, tell ACE and then you’re eligible to apply for a $200 starter grant for other climate-related projects!

This Halloween, I hope you’ll join me in a Trick or DOT blowout!