One of the city’s biggest and most popular Halloween events has been cancelled for this year.
The ninth Night of a Thousand Jacks generated a record $32,000 last October for Advocates for Children, a nonprofit organization which supports children who are abused or neglected.
Night of a Thousand Jacks is known for its pumpkin carving competition, games, treats and Halloween costume contests, typically drawing 3,500 to 4,000 kids and parents.
It has been held at FairOaks Mall each of the past three years — and prior to that was held outdoors in several downtown Columbus locations.
But the event has been placed on hold due to temporary staffing issues at Advocates for Children and because of sponsorship hurdles, said Therese Miller, the agency’s executive director.
Family Chiropractic and Wellness contributed $10,000 to the event last year and was its first title sponsor, part of a $25,000 one-year contribution to the agency, she said.
“Last year we were just so grateful (to Family Chiropractic) in enhancing the community awareness of our work and the amnount raised,” Miller said.
However, the chiropractic center identifies a different agency to support each year, so new sponsors for Night of a Thousand Jacks would have had to be recruited, she said.
Until last year, net proceeds for Night of a Thousand Jacks were decreasing on a decreasing trend, with less than $6,000 raised in 2016, Miller said.
Further complicating matters was the resignation of Advocates for Children staff member Rick Scalf and the retirement of event chair Angle Bowling, Miller said.
As a result, the Advocates for Children board decided not to pursue the event this year, she said.
“We’re definitely going to revisit it once we get staff in place,” Miller said. “Hopefully we can bring it back next year.”
During this Halloween season, Advocates for Children is putting its available resources into a different fundraising event. Its second annual Dash O’Lantern Halloween costume 5K run/walk will be 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at Freedom Field on the north side of Columbus.
The run/walk, which is being organized by a group of Cummins Inc. volunteers, is expected to draw several hundred people, said Grace Kestler, Advocates for Children community outreach coordinator.
“5Ks seem to be pretty popular and around that time,” Kestler said. “It’s a fun opportunity for families to come together and learn about a nonprofit that’s supporting families.”
Advocates for Children has been able to serve 800 children from Bartholomew, Jackson and Jennings counties and currently has a waiting list of 100 children, Kestler said.
Ada Golunska, a data analyst with Cummins Inc., is organizing the Halloween costume run/walk with other volunteers.
“It’s important to us because with our help, they (Advocates for Children) can reach a lot more people,” Golunska said.
The first Dash O’Lantern, held last year in Mill Race Park, raised $3,000 and drew 130 participants, she said.
Golunska hopes this year’s 5K run/walk event will be able to raise a similar amount if not more.
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What: Dash O’Lantern 5K run/walk
When: 10 a.m. Oct. 27 with race-day registration beginning at 8 a.m.
Where: Freedom Field, Columbus
More information: https://runsignup.com/Race/IN/Columbus/DashOLantern5k
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