This year’s Night of a Thousand Jacks at FairOaks Mall raised about $32,000 for Advocates for Children, an increase that tops the event’s previous record, from 2014, by $7,000.
The Oct. 28 event, in its ninth year with its Halloween theme of carved pumpkins, games and treats, raises money to provide advocates to help abused and neglected children who find themselves placed in the court system through no fault of their own.
Advocates for Children has served 850 abused and neglected children so far this year, which is also a record, said Rick Scalf, community outreach coordinator for the organization.
“We’ve seen a 37 percent increase over the number of children served in the same period last year,” said Therese Miller, Advocate for Children executive director. “Despite this increase, another 305 children remain on our waiting list and there’s no indication that the need for our services is going to decline anytime soon. Every child deserves a safe, permanent and loving home.”
Advocates for Children staff said the increasing number of addiction cases throughout the state have been driving up the number entering the child protection system.
“These kids are the silent victims of the opioid epidemic,” Scalf said. “We can’t forget that when someone suffers from an addiction, their entire family is impacted. That’s why Advocates for Children is committed to providing an advocate for every child in our community who needs one.”
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Event winners at Night of a Thousand Jacks:
Pumpkin Patch
“Year’s Best Patch” (most raised overall)
Winner: Adult & Child Health
Vote Total: 713
Prize: $500, provided by Hilliard Lyons
“Best Non-Profit Patch” (most raised among non-profit entries)
Winner: Adult & Child Health
Vote Total: 713
Prize: $500 contribution to charity of winner’s choice, provided by Heritage Fund, the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County
Costume Contest
Ages 0-5
Judges’ Overall Favorite: Emma Jones – “Violet”
Favorite Hero: Emersyn Smith – “Police Woman”
Favorite Fairy Tale Character: Ovienna Flynn – “Old Lady”
Cleverest Costume: Rithiksha Sivakumar – “Firefighter & Truck”
Favorite Villain: Westin Waller – “Bobby Knight”
Ages 6-10
Judges’ Overall Favorite: Hunter Straugh – “Outhouse”
Favorite Hero: Arthur Kays – “Astronaut”
Favorite Fairy Tale Character: Jaylin Barnes – “Harry Potter”
Cleverest Costume: Asher Stidam – “Skydancer”
Favorite Villain: Jack Charlton – “Dapper Death”
Ages 11-15
Judges’ Overall Favorite: Nadia Harris – “Punk Rock Zombie”
Favorite Hero: McKenna Johannesen – “KC Royals Pitcher”
Favorite Fairy Tale Character: Kieradyn Wright – “Merida”
Cleverest Costume: Ellie Combs – “Darla from Finding Nemo”
Favorite Villain: Chloe Griese – “Day of the Dead Skeleton”
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