Oxford House Halloween Fundraiser Supports Recovery in Newton
Costume contest, $5 meal plates and a pie to the face drew a bigger crowd than organizers expected
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Sign up freeNEWTON, Kan. — Oxford House Chapter 7’s Halloween fundraiser brought food, costumes, raffles and good-natured fun to Newton on Oct. 24, raising $369 for the organization, which helps people pursue sobriety, employment and stable housing.
Organizers said attendance exceeded expectations. Guests purchased $5 meal plates featuring hamburgers, potato salad, smokies and other sides.
Cookies were sold for $3, while sodas and raffle tickets cost $1 each. Raffle winners received gift cards.
The fundraiser also included a costume contest, with prizes of $75 for first place, $50 for second and $25 for third. In another lighthearted competition, participants collected donations in cups, and the person whose cup held the most money received a pie to the face.
Sierra Stevens, who helped serve food and collect donations but did not hold an official role with the event, said the fundraiser supported Oxford House's broader mission.
"It's to help people get off the streets and sober up and help them get jobs and get a place to live," Stevens said.
She said the event offered community members a practical way to help people working toward stability.
"It's a good charitable event and I feel like a lot of people could put this to use," Stevens said.
Attendee Mason Kaumans said he came for the costume contest and hoped to win. He also praised Oxford House and its focus on recovery.
"It's a great place to get clean and sober from all mind altering substances," Kaumans said.
Justin Miller, one of the event's organizers, said the goal was to raise as much money as possible to help people leave homelessness and addiction behind.
"Whatever we can to go to raise enough money to got to help more people. That's what Oxford's all about, is bringing addicts off the streets and putting them back in society with jobs and sobriety and a sober community to go to work with," Miller said.
He said community support affects how many people Oxford House can assist.
"The more support that we got, the more people we can help. So we try to reach out hand out to help as many people as we can," Miller said.
Organizers said the money will support Oxford House’s work in Newton.
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