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Shane Speten's eyes
widened at the sight of a human skeleton emerging from a casket.
The 4-year-old clung to her mother, Andrea Speten, as they walked down the
ghoul and spider-web-filled tunnel.
"What is that?" she asked.
In the dark, Shane didn't realize the seemingly haunted trail was actually
the hallway of the Wittern Group's Clive headquarters.
The Spetens were two of about 150 people who came out Friday evening for the Iowa vending machine
manufacturer's United Way fundraiser. This
was the first year the company turned the in-house fundraiser into a public
event, said Amy Van Westen, Wittern Group employee campaign coordinator.
The warmth of an indoor event on the chilly fall evening was a big draw for
parents while candy drew the children.
"This way if it's too cold on Beggars' night, they got some
trick-or-treating in," said Brenda Parrish, who brought her 5-year-old
daughter, Jada.
The fall festival featured a "spooky trail," games, crafts, food
and an appearance by the Clive firefighters. The Wittern Group supplied the
food, decorations and volunteers and donated proceeds, totaling $460, to United Way. The company's goal is to raise $43,000
this year for the non-profit organization.
Julie Myers, a receptionist at the Wittern Group, traded in her brown hair
for magenta tresses and her collared shirt for a black witch's cape Friday
night.
"Halloween is my favorite holiday," Myers said.
Myers was one of 15 volunteers who worked for the past month to organize the
fundraiser.
Friday, Myers stirred a smoking cauldron and encouraged children to touch
Jell-O brains and severed hands on the table.
Several, such as Shane, shied away from the jiggling treats but others showed
no fear as they poked and prodded the specimens.
In another room, Allie Essink, 12, and Amanda Salazar, 12, told children's
fortunes, promising them lives full of wealth and fame.
In most cases the predictions evoked grins but once in a while they were a
little off of the mark.
"I told one boy, 'You're going to be the star football player of your
favorite football team.' He said, 'I hate football!' " Essink said.
The festival was just one of a list of events many parents planned on taking
their children to this week.
"I just want the kids to have fun," Naomi Kaunga said.
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