SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Two young trick-or-treaters are being celebrated for their kindness after an act of Halloween generosity that’s now going viral on social media.
Siblings Charles and Dela Pritchett were out trick-or-treating in Burnetts Mill when they noticed an empty candy bowl on a neighbor’s porch. Without hesitation, they each took candy from their own bags to refill the bowl, allowing other children who came after them to have treats too.
The entire moment was captured on homeowner Kyle Hockensmith’s Ring camera. Hockensmith, who was monitoring the candy situation remotely, said he had been prepared to turn off his porch lights once he ran out of candy. But to his surprise, the Pritchett siblings had stepped in to keep the spirit alive.
“I was checking in periodically, just so if I did see that the bowl was empty, I was going to turn off all the lights,” Hockensmith said. “Then by 7, I checked it, and the child put candy in the bowl. I was like, ‘Oh my goodness. Like, unbelievable.”
The siblings’ mother, Marie Hart, said she felt emotional when she realized her children’s good deed was gaining widespread attention.
Hart said she was proud to see her children demonstrating values she’s been working hard to instill. Dela, who said she wanted to ensure other kids didn’t feel left out, said her dream is to one day serve in the Navy or become a police officer.
Her brother, Charles, who was also surprised to see his good deed go viral, said he’d like to be a tattoo artist focusing on samurai art, or possibly a zoologist.
As a gesture of thanks, Hockensmith took to Facebook to invite the family back to his house so he could refill the children’s candy bags and treat the parents as well.
Hockensmith, who said he was unprepared for the high number of trick-or-treaters, called the act “a great feeling,” adding that the kids’ kindness gives him hope. “They’re going to grow up and do amazing things,” he said.