Spooktacular delights & events by nonprofits

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA

Trick or Treat? The trick is that can you believe October is almost over?! This has been the fastest month this year. The treat, of course, is that Halloween is next Monday, so the column this week is full of fun things to do with your favorite guy and ghoul friends.

Halloween Events – Attend at your own risk!

• CarnEVIL is a Halloween Festival of Fright featuring Steampunk Horror, Creatures of the Night, and Thrilling performers like stilt walkers and fire troop dancers. (We attended last year, and I assure you this is an event you don't want to miss!) There are different entertainers each night, as well as a variety of food trucks, scare zones and a House of Horror! If you prefer to scare than be scared, volunteers are still needed for this event.

  CarnEVIL is an annual fundraiser for Our Ark, a nonprofit whose mission is breaking cycles of homelessness for street youth and young adults in communities that empowers youth independence and hope.  For more details, click here.

• Hope Village is co-hosting Coffee & Costume with a Cop with Lacey PD at the Starbucks at College and Pacific Friday, October 28. For more information, contact hopevillagecoordinator@wpcoly.org

• Get your costumes ready for a 5k to benefit All Kids Win on Saturday, October 29. According to their website, this is the best kind of 5k as you can join in person, or you can participate virtually and run anywhere in the world, on your own time. All ages, families, and even your four-legged family members are welcome to participate. All Kid’s Win is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation committed to ending homelessness by giving teens the help they need so they can focus on school, go on to graduate, and become contributing citizens. For more details, click here.

• Enjoy Halloween games, goodies, and an All-Saints Remembrance Service at St. Benedict Episcopal Church on Monday, October 31. All are welcome! For more details, click here.

• Join organist Nathan Jensen on Monday, October 31, as John's Episcopal Church presents “spooky” organ music during their annual trick-or-treat open house. The event also includes a showing of the 1925 classic silent film, “Phantom of the Opera,” starring Lon Chaney. Jensen will accompany the film with improvised organ music. For more details, click here.
• Save your candy and enjoy an adult Halloween on Monday, October 31. Join celebrated local author Jim Lynch (The Highest Side, Border Songs) as he shares a new (scary!) short story, followed by the one-man show Edgar Allan Poe –The Poet’s Journey. Adapted by local playwright Bryan Willis and starring Bradford Farwell (Indecent, Seattle Rep), Mr. Poe’s life, obsessions, and genius are brought alive by Harlequin Productions. For more devilish details, click here.

For more fantastical, maybe frightening fun, check out these events from The Jolt’s Calendar

• Join Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), South Sound Reading Foundation, and other organizations for our 3rd annual Trick-or-Read Drive-Thru. This is a completely free event, and you do not need to be a part of the BBBS program. Youth will get a book, candy, and other goodies. Dress up in your costume and take pictures with our spooky set-up! For more information, go to The Jolt calendar https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/trick-or-read-drive-thru,6949

• Dress up in your favorite costumes and bring your little ghosts, dinos, superheroes, and princesses to the Boo Bash at the Hands On Children’s Museum. For more details, go to The Jolt’s Calendar https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/boo-bash,7521

Life is a cabaret ol’ chum

• The Olympia Musical Theater (OMT) will be hosting an Open-Mic Cabaret Saturday, October 29. According to Sue Rudisill, a board member of the organization, “this is a chance for singers who want to perform show songs (soloists, duets, small groups) to showcase their stage skills. OMT will provide the accompanist and the venue; you provide the singing.” Participants are asked to bring sheet music in their key, and each cabaret should include at least one sing-along ensemble production number from a favorite musical. For the venue location and more information, click here.

Volunteer Events – Costume optional

• The Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties needs volunteers, according to Noelle Gichohi, program manager for the organization. “The clinic, which provides a telephonic resource for those in crisis, currently has 20 volunteers”, said Gichohi, “but we are hoping to return to pre-pandemic levels when we had 60 volunteers”. While the organization has a number of volunteer opportunities, primarily, they need individuals to be a resource when a call comes in. Volunteers manage the phones during four-hour shifts throughout the day, although there is one overnight shift that runs from midnight to 8 a.m. For more information and to complete an interest application, click here.

• Hope Village in Olympia is looking for volunteers to help refurbish their tiny homes. According to Samantha Rose Curtis, their new Coordinator, “we’re a tiny home community of 8, and as one guest moves out, we like to clean and paint for the new guest arriving. I have one vacant tiny home that will be occupied soon, and it needs painting!” Hope Village will provide the paint, the brushes, the tarps, and two helping hands to get the job done. Hope Village is a program of Westminster Presbyterian Church whose mission is to welcome all people to worship the living God through Christ, while together we learn to love and care for one another, grow in faith, and promote social justice. If you are interested, contact hopevillagecoordinator@wpcoly.org

• It's not too early to start making your plans to volunteer this summer (really, it will be here before we know it!) Relay for Life Thurston County is hosting a Volunteer Interest Meeting on October 27. According to their website, they have many opportunities available from now through our event next summer. Whether you have an occasional hour now or if you know you have time next year, there are volunteer opportunities to fit everyone’s availability. For more details, click here.

Soliciting your ideas

If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at  MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com.