YONKERS, NY — October 26, 2026 — A Halloween treat arrived early for students at Cedar Place Community School.  Hayley Quatrocci’s Make a Witch Drive delivered costumes and goodie bags ahead of the spooky holiday.

“Halloween is my favorite holiday,” Quatrocci said.  “I’ve loved dressing up ever since I was a little girl, and I want all children to enjoy the same fun.”

In 2014, when Quatrocci was in fourth grade at School 16, a bedroom closet brimming with costumes was in desperate need of cleaning out.  Her mother, Marie Quatrocci, was touched by her daughter’s altruistic idea.

“Hayley figured that maybe another child might not have a costume for trick-or-treating, so it would be nice to donate her old dress-up outfits,” Quatrocci’s mother said.  “Hayley has always been a giving person and maternal, like a second mother to her younger brother.  It was no surprise that she thought of other children.”

Every year for the past 12 years, Hayley Quatrocci has collected donations from local labor unions and purchased costumes for students at a Yonkers school.  This year, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anibal Soler, Jr., handed out a full array of fantasy fashion: pirate, princess, superhero, ghost and goblin costumes.  Cedar Place students flashed appreciative smiles as they received goodie bags with coloring books, crayons, pencils, glow sticks and vampire teeth.

“When I was young, it made me sad to see other children left out of the fun because they didn’t have a costume,” Quatrocci said.  “My parents taught me the importance of giving back.  We are big believers in good karma.”

Quatrocci is now 21 years old.  She’s working on a degree in education at Iona University.  Her goal is to become a teacher at her alma mater, Saunders Trades and Technical High School.

“My teachers in Yonkers have all inspired me,” Quatrocci said.  “I’m especially grateful to my high school English teacher, Mrs. Catherine Gallucci.  She helped me fall in love with writing. She cared about her students and made learning fun.  I hope I can do the same thing.”