Haunted house to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Being afraid will be a good thing this weekend when Marion High School Key Club and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Marion County sponsor a haunted house at Marion County Lake hall.
"We're happy to be working with Key Club on this fund-raiser," Phoebe Janzen, MHS counselor and president of the board of the county big brothers big sisters organization. "The club is doing this as a service project."
The theme of the haunted house is Terror at the Lake. A Key Club committee has been meeting for the past month to plan the events.
Adults and students worked Monday, Tuesday, and will work tonight (Wednesday) to prepare for those who want to be frightened.
New Key Club sponsor and Marion High School teacher Lucas King said the organization is looking forward to helping the big brothers big sisters organization.
"Members signed up right away to help and are really excited about it," he said.
The Key Club has 62 members which means plenty of ideas and helping hands.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County plans about four fund-raisers every year, Janzen said.
The money is used to pay for background checks of big brothers and sisters, salaries of the part-time director and assistant, and other paperwork associated with the program.
"Our programs couldn't continue without that support," she said.
Plus, Janzen said, it will give teens and elementary children something to do.
The house is geared toward those sixth grade and older, and will be open from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $5 per adult and $4 per child, 10 years old and younger.
The fun begins with a hayrack ride prior to a visit at the haunted house. Cookies and hot chocolate also will be available.
Younger children are encouraged to attend the Sunday haunted house where the fright will be scaled back.
"If this goes well, we'll do it again next year," Janzen said. The goal is around $2,000 but the organization will be appreciative of whatever it brings.
About the organization
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County began in 2000. County residents are eligible to serve on the board of directors and as big brothers and big sisters.
"'Bigs' don't have to have any special skills," Jackie Rice, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County, said.
Recently Rice interviewed a big brother who was closing his match because he was moving out of state. She asked him what he would tell a new volunteer that he didn't know when he started.
"He said, 'I'd tell them it is easy. All you have to do is show up and be yourself'," Rice said.
In 2006, there were 197 children in the program — the organization expects 210-215 this year.
To be a big brother or big sister, volunteers must be at least 15 years old to serve in the Bigs in School program and at least 16 to serve in the community-based program. All volunteers must pass a background check, have excellent references, and be a positive role model.
The organization then matches the volunteers with children, ages 6-18. Males are matched with males, females with females.
"In the community-based program, the little brothers and sisters typically are from single parent homes or homes where there is significant stress," Rice said. Children being served also may have parents in the military, parents who are seriously ill, or the children are in foster care or with grandparents.
"Each referral is considered on an individual basis," Rice said.
Children in the school-based program must have a referral from their school. These children may need academic, social, or emotional support.
There is no charge for the program. Fund-raisers, like the haunted house, help defray costs of operating the countywide program.
For more information, contact Rice at (620) 382-3800 or by e-mail at jrice@ksbbbs.org.
"Our mission is to match at-risk children with carefully screened volunteers to help each child reach his/her full potential," Rice said.
