Joliet Witches Night Out raises $1,108,000 in 15 years for local nonprofits

The Witches Night Out costume fundraiser for women recently celebrated 15 years and a total of $1,108,000 raised for its Will County 501(c)(3) recipient agencies, according to a news release from Witches Night Out.

Former Joliet resident Kathy Mihelich and Judy Erwin of Plainfield started and organized the first Witches Night Out fundraiser in 2010. Mihelich and Erwin wanted to make a difference in their community by creating a fun, affordable Ladies Night Out event to help support local nonprofits who help women and children.

“As one of the recipient agencies, Guardian Angel Community Services is grateful beyond measure for the support we’ve received over the last decade to help operate our 24/7 emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children.”

—   Ines Kutlesa, CEO of Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet

Mihelich and Erwin decided upon a Witches Night Out theme after seeing an outdoor community event using that theme in Lebanon, Illinois, according to a 2012 Herald-News story.

“Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore,” Mihelich said in 2012. “Adult women like to dress up and go places, too, although dressing up is optional. We get villain witches, Glindas in pink, the Wicked Witch of the West, witches from Disney stories and even Dolly Dagger from the Jimi Hendrix song.”

Witches Night Out is currently co-chaired by Denise Maffeo and Theresa Berkey, according to the release.

Denise Maffeo said in the release that she became “acquainted with our recipient agencies on a deeper level” while serving in this role.

“I have been privileged to attend a ribbon-cutting for a new veteran home, to visit the offices where programs for youth are conducted and to tour new facilities for the women and children in Will County,” Maffeo said in the release. “The work that they are doing for our community is essential. We are grateful and blessed to be able to assist them through our donations.”

Ines Kutlesa, CEO of Guardian Angel Community Services in Joliet, said in the release that Witches Night Out is “unparalleled in their grassroots volunteer beginnings and exceptional success in drawing massive crowds to raise funds at such momentous level.”

“As one of the recipient agencies, Guardian Angel Community Services is grateful beyond measure for the support we’ve received over the last decade to help operate our 24/7 emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children,” Kutlesa said in the release.

Witches Night Out was held at the Renaissance Center in Joliet in 2010, 2012 and 2013. The fundraiser moved to the Jacob Henry Mansion Estate in Joliet in 2014.

Mihelich founded Events for a Cause LLC in 2016, a 501(c)(3) organization to oversee Witches Night Out, according to the release. And in 2018, Witches Night Out became a two-night event to accommodate its 3,000 attendees, sponsors and volunteers.

In addition to Guardian Angel Community Services, the 2024 recipient agencies of the net proceeds are CASA of River Valley, Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Recreation Facility in Plainfield, Stepping Stones Treatment Center in Joliet, Wilmington Coalition For A Healthy Community and Will County Habitat for Humanity, according to the release.

Previous recipient agencies include MorningStar Mission in Joliet and the former Lambs Fold in Joliet, according to the release.

For more information about Witches Night Out, visit witchesnightout.com.