Women Who Mean Business
October 2026
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October 2026
by Tori Hebert Whittaker
For nearly 40 years, the Kiwanis Club of Lake Charles has helped families in Southwest Louisiana stay warm in the winter through the club’s Coats for Kids campaign.
In 2016, the Kiwanis Club introduced Spooktacular at Crying Eagle Brewing Company – University as a kickoff event to the two-week coat drive. Over the last 10 years, this event has grown from a simple community gathering to a family-friendly Halloween party with fun for all ages!
“Every year this event grows, both in activities and attendees,” says Randy Fuerst, Spooktacular chainman. “We’re thrilled the community continues to support this project. Last year, in total we collected $52,000 and over 3,400 coats. We truly have such generous neighbors.”
A project of this scale is only made possible through partnerships. Crying Eagle – University serves as the host venue, and Runte Lake Cleaners dry cleans every donated coat free of charge.
“Crying Eagle has been a supporter of Spooktacular from the beginning and we’re thankful they welcome us back each year,” Fuerst says. “Runte Lake Cleaners is a huge piece of the puzzle to make the Coats for Kids drive a reality. They clean every coat we receive, and they also help us store our coats until it’s time to distribute them. We truly couldn’t do this without them.”
The Spooktacular event is the perfect way to have fun while supporting a good cause. During the first 90 minutes of the event, children enjoy playing games, filling up on Halloween candy, testing their skills on the mechanical bull and visiting furry friends at the petting zoo. In between the outdoor fun, mom and dad are sure to find something of interest inside at the silent auction.
“Bring the entire family. We really have something for everyone,” says Fuerst. “New this year is our live auction! We have two George Rodrigue Blue Dog prints and an electric bike for a lucky winner to take home. Our silent auction has other great selections like guided fishing tours, weekend getaways, fine jewelry and more!”
Raffle prizes are announced every hour, live music by Boomerang keeps the party alive and Crying Eagle provides the beverages and food from The Bistro.
In addition to winter coats, all monetary proceeds are donated to 10 local charitable agencies. Abraham’s Tent, Boys Village, Care Help of Sulphur, CARC, CPSB McKinney-Vento for Homeless Children, DeWanna’s Closet, ETC Harbour House, OASIS A Safe Haven, Potters House, and The Lord’s Place are all beneficiaries of the coat project.
“Last year each of our benefiting agencies received $5,200. The year before that we were able to donate $4,250. Every year our community shows up bigger than before to support these agencies that do so much for those in need,” says Fuerst.
The Spooktacular Coats for Kids kickoff will be held at Crying Eagle Brewing Company – University on Friday, October 23, from 5:00-9:00 p.m.
To learn more or find sponsorship information, visit kiwaniscluboflakecharles.com. You may also call Randy Fuerst at 337-540-3554 or Jim Meyer at 337-853-1820.
All donations are made tax-deductible through the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.
