The 2024 Big Halloween Gig
Donor Spotlight | Posted on November 6, 2024Last month, the 22nd annual Big Halloween Gig raised over $4,000 to support Variety Kids! Learn more about how hosts Patrick Griffin, Paul "Jonesy" Jones, and Donnie Grzanna have created the best Halloween party in town year after year.
"After years of enjoying Halloween parties hosted by friends post-college, many of our former hosts had moved into smaller apartments or were simply too busy to throw a big bash. So, in 2001, the three of us decided to step up to the challenge. We rented a hall, booked a band, and planned to provide beer and food for our friends—all for just $15 a head, hoping to break even and throw the best party possible.
But then, tragedy struck with 9/11. Like many, we felt a deep shift in our sense of celebration and community. After a lot of reflection, we made the tough decision to move forward with the party, but with one important change: in 2002, we'd add an extra $5 to the ticket price and donate the proceeds to charity. Over the next year, we chose Variety after attending a fundraiser at the Brown Bottle Pub. We had such a good time at that event and were really attracted to the mobility program and providing custom bikes for children in need.
That was the start of a new tradition—combining fun, friendship, and a bit of giving back.
What started as a way to keep the Halloween spirit alive has grown into something much more meaningful. While we’ve continued the celebration every year (except for 2020, due to COVID), our commitment to giving back has always remained at the heart of the event. We’re incredibly proud to have raised over $92,000 for Variety and their special kids, making a real difference in the lives of children who need it most." - Patrick Griffin
Thank you to the original hosts:
Patrick Griffin, Architect @ SmithGroup
Donnie Grzanna, Product Engineer @ Rockwell Automation
Paul “Jonesy” Jones, Special Master @ Deloitte
And to Kathleen Leising, who has helped organize the Big Halloween Gig since 2015.
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