The Niles Scream Park is donating more than $147,000 to non-profits around Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana this year.
Park manager Aaron Smith tells us the Niles Scream Park is itself a non-profit, staffed with volunteers who represent community organizations seeking support. He says more than 40,000 people came out to the park this season to be spooked, supporting more than 50 charities.
“We’re grateful and we’re satisfied with everyone’s contribution, just both from the community and also reciprocating that in terms of benefiting all the groups that took the time to volunteer out there to raise money for their various charities,” Smith said.
Smith says depending on how much various volunteers served and how well the park did overall for the season, the amount the Niles Scream Park donated to supported non-profits varied.
“People always are looking to see who’s going to be in the top five, and those top five are Boy Scout Troop 541 of Buchanan, Haunters Against Hate, the Lakeshore High School Stage Crew, the Cass County Fair Association, as well as the LaPorte Little Theater.”
In addition to the cash donations, the Niles Scream Park supported a variety of local causes with auctions and ticket donations totaling more than $4,900. Additionally, the park awarded $5,000 in college scholarships in 2024.
Smith says the park is always looking for more volunteers who want to use their time at the park as a way to support charities of their choice. However, the park is also planning to set up a method to pay some volunteers in the 2025 season. We’ll have more on that development when the park makes a formal announcement.
Photo: volunteers for the 2024 season at the Nile Scream Park celebrate at the park’s annual cast party.
