Lake Charles Kiwanis Club Spooktacular to kick off annual coat drive

The Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles will kick off its 36th Coats for Kids drive with a Halloween-themed Spooktacular event on Oct. 25 at Crying Eagle Brewing Company.

Family-friendly activities — set for 5-6:30 p.m. — will include a petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, mechanical bull rides and games hosted by 10 local non-profit groups. A silent auction, Poke-the-Pumpkin raffles and music by the Julian Primeaux Band will also be featured during the event, which ends at 9 p.m.

Admission is free. Those who donate a coat of any size during the event, will receive a Spooktacular drinking cup, drink token and raffle ticket.

Event co-chairman Jim Meyer said donated coats collected during the upcoming Coats for Kids drive will be cleaned by Runte Lake Cleaners. Kiwanis members will then donate the coats to local charitable charities — Abraham’s Tent, Boys Village, ETC Harbour House, Care Help of Sulphur, CARC, CPSB McKinney-Vento Assistance to Homeless Children, DeWanna’s Closet, Oasis Women’s Shelter, Potters House and The Lord’s Place —  that serve underprivileged children and adults.

In addition, all proceeds from the Spooktacular raffles and auction will benefit the charities.

Tax-deductible sponsorships and donations are welcome and can be made to the Lake Charles Kiwanis Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana at donate.kiwanislakecharles.org.

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