If you want to transform into someone — or something — else just take a step into Raina Kennedy’s home.
• Search for ClarkCountyCostumes on Facebook to connect with Raina Kennedy, or email clarkcountycostumes@yahoo.com.
• She typically schedules times for people to browse her costume collection between 4 to 6 p.m. on weekdays.
The 38-year-old Camas mother of three has been collecting costumes for eight years, picking up pieces at garage sales whenever she found a deal too good to pass up. Her collection grew so massive a few years ago that she began loaning outfits to friends.
“People from then started to donate costumes,” Kennedy said. “I would go to my door and have costumes at my door.”
And since last year she’s been running a makeshift costume outlet from her home, with the difference being she lets anyone drop by and borrow one of her estimated 600 costumes for free.
“I had so many costumes and my kids were only going to use so much,” she said. “It’s become a really great arrangement for all different walks of life. It’s not only for people who need it.”
Kennedy’s guest bedroom is full of outfits, from superheroes to princesses to furry animals.
“They are not cheap costumes at all. It’s a good, solid inventory of great pieces,” she said.
Using Facebook, under the group name ClarkCountyCostumes, Kennedy connects with community members to set up times for them to visit her home and browse, typically on weekdays between 4 and 6 p.m. All she asks is they wash and return the clothes when they are done.
“What’s interesting is out of all the costumes that we’ve lent out, maybe three have been unreturned,” she said. “For the most part, people are really diligent about bringing the costumes back.”
So far it’s gone swimmingly, she said. Kennedy offers the service throughout the year, but October, as can be expected, is her busiest time. So far this month she’s loaned out about 150 costumes to families. Last year, her first time opening up her home to the community, she lent out 120 during the Halloween season.
“I had so many costumes and my kids were only going to use so much,” she said.
Eventually Kennedy wants to itemize her collection, but that big task is still on the horizon. She’d also like to one day get others involved in her mission and perhaps help someone start a similar program in Portland.
Kennedy happily accepts costume donations to grow her already large collection, but she won’t take cash.
That’s because she’s in it simply to share her love of dressing up with others and to help families save money.
“I just think that costumes should be free,” she said. “They are just so much fun.”
