December 22, 2024

Why, their little party's just beginning

Witches Night Out goes virtual this year with a month's work of fundraising fun

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

October 09, 2020 at 12:00 pm CDT

It was called “Witches Night Out” and they came prepared for a night of shopping, refreshments, music and raffle baskets, she said. Several years ago, the grassroots fundraiser expanded from a one-night event at the Joliet Junior College Renaissance Center in Joliet to two evenings of fun at the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate, also in Joliet. “We just dressed in our regular clothes,” Maffeo recalled on the first night. “We walked in and looked around. Everyone had costumes on. I thought, ‘Oh, boy, we didn’t do this right.” This year, Maffeo is one of the co-chairs for this year’s event, "witch" has already started and has in no way ended.

Maffeo, co-chair Theresa Berkey and the “Witches Night Out” committee have brewed up a month-long virtual event to keep attendees engaged – and maybe the winner of a one karat diamond necklace valued at $1,600 from David Nelson Exquisite Jewelry. Berkey feels attendees will have plenty of fun while helping a good cause. “We’re trying to keep it as interactive as possible,” Berkey said. Net proceeds from Witches Night Out go to selected Will County 501(c)(3) recipient agencies that make a difference in the lives of women.

Since its first event in 2010, Witches Night Out has distributed more than $466,000 to its recipient agencies, Maffeo said. Recipient agencies this year are CASA of River Valley, Guardian Angel Community Services and Stepping Stones Treatment Center, all located in Joliet. Last year, Witches Night Out donated $135,000 to its recipient agencies, Berkey said. These were Guardian Angel Community Services, Court-Appointed Special Advocates of River Valley, MorningStar Mission Ministries, Stepping Stones Treatment Center and Will County Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build, according to a 2019 story in The Herald-News Berkey isn’t certain a virtual event will net the same amount, but it won’t be for a lack of trying. Going virtual “pretty much changes everything" about the event, Berkey said. “It’s definitely been a learning experience for us,” Berkey said. “Obviously we cannot do a massive event in a mansion for two nights. But we wanted to make some money to local agencies who need it desperately.” So what are the Witches Night Out activities for this year?

First up: Beatrix’s Magical & Marvelous Missions. For just $25, attendees can join an app based virtual scavenger hunt game. It’s the first time Witches Night Out has offered a scavenger hunt, Berkey said. “For a month of fun, it’s [$25] totally worth it,” she said. Participants must have a smart phone or tablet that’s data connected. After downloading the GooseChase app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store and paying the registration fee, players will receive a passcode to access the missions. Points are given for successfully completing a mission. “I personally have 1,800 points,” Maffeo said. “I can’t win the prize but I’m still doing it anyway.” Beatrix’s Magical & Marvelous Missions began Oct. 1, but people can join anytime in October, Maffeo said. Prizes are drawn Nov. 1, Berkey said. Witches Night Out is offering other features, too.

For instance, Bliss Hair Studio in Shorewood will host a month-long drawing in October for a raffle basket “to tame the worst witch’s hair woes,” a news release from Witches Night Out said. Each of the 14 stylists will host a drawing for a $100 Bliss certificate. Bliss Hair Studio hopes to raise $3,000 for Witches Night Out, a news release from the hair studio said. Then on Sundays in October, On the Rocks in Joliet will support Witches Night Out with their fully loaded Bloodies for a Cause, Benefit Buckets and Mimosas with a Mission. MyGrain Brewing Company in downtown Joliet will conjure up a specialty Witches Pilcher Pale Ale. This will be available Oct. 8 through Oct. 31. On Oct. 9 and Oct. 16, Cemeno’s Pizza will offer $5 witch-tinis. Then on Oct. 20, Bella Cucina Catering will be host a “wickedly delicious dinner” with curbside pick-up. Flourish Juice and The Dock at Inwood will both host :unique events” for Witches Night Out on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30. In addition, the vendors at “The Witch’s Virtual Bazaar on the Witches Night Out website will donate 15% or more of each purchase to Witches Night Out. To register for the scavenger hunt, buy products and for more information on the above events visit witchesnightout.com. (All photos)

Joliet Will County

Denise M. Baran-Unland

Denise M. Baran-Unland is the features editor for The Herald-News in Joliet. She covers a variety of human interest stories. She also writes the long-time weekly tribute feature “An Extraordinary Life about local people who have died. She studied journalism at the College of St. Francis in Joliet, now the University of St. Francis.