CHARITY

“Spare Change for a MONSTER of a Cause”

IAHA Charity Committee Report: For the third consecutive year, IAHA has organized a Charity collections campaign that has grown each and every year.

The first year began with a simple email to all members encouraging them to go to the UNICEF site and order collection boxes and collect among their patrons and staff in the name of the IAHA. The association received a prestigious UNICEF Ambassador Award for monies raised that first year.

The second year, a more developed program was implemented that included a black and white pumpkin image with the IAHA logo sent to members with their membership kits to give further identity to our campaign. Members were also given the choice of several National Charities to selectively give their funds to. Over $1,000.00 was given in the name of IAHA this second year.

Beth Turner and her committee had a “dream”… and on this the third year of Project SCARE and CARE, a more professional recognizable image was created by member Julie Pawlowicz and the campaign was taken to the next level of promotion and marketing. An article was put in TAP magazine, a collection kit was sent as a separate mail-out to all members in September that included: color posters, tips for collecting, a press release on the collection drive for members to use to get some goodwill coverage out of it and a collection return form was included as well.

Results for this young and determined program were overwhelming this year. We are proud to announce that we have surpassed 2005 numbers with final results still being tallied. A report and awards to the top 3 contributors will be given at the February – 2007 annual meeting in Chicago at the TransWorld National Haunt and Attractions show.

Donations are still being accepted and checks made payable to the IAHA may be sent in to the treasurer, Jim Smith @ 1508 Rolling Hills Dr., Niles, MI 49120. Please designate which charity you want the money given to (you may give to more than one): UNICEF, American Red Cross, Make a Wish Foundation, MS Society and/or the IAHA member tragedy relief fund ICAN.

PRESS RELEASE 10/12/07

SCARE & CARE

Haunted Houses to Raise Millions of Dollars for Charity

(Niles, MI — October 12, 2007)  Halloween might still be three weeks away, but many the nation’s leading haunted attractions have been scaring the masses since early September.  But it’s not all about the scares – the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) expects that its haunted attraction members will raise several million dollars for various charities this season.

“Giving back to the community is a big priority for many of our members,” said IAHA President Timothy Gavinski. “Some of our members are non-profit organizations or family farms that raise money to support their operations, while others are for-profit companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to a charitable organization.”

James Smith, an officer of IAHA and a lead actor at The Niles Haunted House Scream Park, in Niles, Michigan, indicated that his haunt donated over $100,000 to 80 Michigan charities in 2006.  Smith expects that the Niles Haunted House will easily match or exceed that contribution this year.

Haunted houses have a long history of raising money for charities.  In fact, the haunted house industry can trace its roots to local civic groups like the Jaycees, volunteer fire departments and church groups that began sponsoring small haunted houses in the early 1970’s to raise funds for their organizations.  Within a decade, the haunted house industry dramatically expanded, as theme parks and entrepreneurs joined the charities, and began opening elaborate, professionally operated, multi-attraction scream parks.

Today, the Halloween season is second only to Christmas for consumer spending.  “In the last decade, haunted attractions have matured from small neighborhood events, to large, regional destination attractions,” said Gavinski.  “In the United States, Halloween has become a 7 billion dollar industry and about 15% of all Americans will attend a Halloween event this fall.”  Charities across the nation will benefit as a result.

About the International Association of Haunted Attractions

The International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the Haunted Attraction Industry through communication, education and information.