Spooky Soiree Raises $21,200 for Four Local Nonprofits

The Grapevine Young Professionals (GYP) held its third annual Spooky Soiree on October 17 to raise money for four local causes. The organization sold 168 tickets and created a night of elevated food, fun drinks, local entertainment, and a mystery to solve. The event – which has grown each year since its inception in 2023 – raised $21,200 according to a count taken on the evening of the event, meaning each cause will receive a $5,300 donation at the GYP monthly luncheon on November 6.

“Leadership is one of the core principles of YP, so we wanted our volunteers to take ownership of their roles,” said Ed Evans, who oversaw the event as the organization’s Chair Elect. “Everyone on the committee embraced their jobs and worked together to make this an amazing event.”

YP is designed for people aged 21 to 39 who want to grow professionally while meeting people their age. Spooky Soiree is the organization's largest event, allowing members to give back to the community. 

The Nonprofits Represent YP’s Causes of the Quarter 

Each year, Grapevine Young Professionals selects four Causes of the Quarter to promote and fundraise for on a rotating basis. In addition to this quarterly support, the charities receive equal shares of the proceeds from Spooky Soiree. The organizations chosen by YP members this year are:

• AMBUCS: This charity aims to inspire mobility and independence by providing adaptive AmTrykes to people with disabilities. 
• Keep Grapevine Beautiful: A group that supports building community through environmental stewardship. 
• Metroport Meals on Wheels: A charity working to reduce hunger and isolation by providing food to people who have difficulty leaving the house. 
• Pro Player’s Foundation: An organization that fundraises for children in need.  

After this year, YP will nominate four new Causes of the Quarter to continue making a positive footprint across the Grapevine community.

“It has been phenomenal to see young professionals not only willing to give, but excited to learn the process of brainstorming, creating, and implementing an event for the greater good,” said RaDonna Hessel, CEO of the Grapevine Chamber. “These are our future leaders, and they are showing that our community will have a great future under their leadership.”

This Was the Biggest Spooky Soiree Yet

One of the most significant changes to this year’s Spooky Soiree is that it was run entirely by the Young Professionals. This reduced costs and gave them more flexibility in how the event was run.  

“Our goal this year was to elevate the fundraising levels from the hundreds to the thousands,” said Evans. “We collected a lot of feedback from the past two events and identified opportunities to improve and add value to attendees.”

To achieve this goal, YP updated the Gift Card Wall, allowing attendees to bid on prizes like seats to a Dallas Cowboys game and receive a thematically appropriate prop for the evening on top of their randomly selected prize. YP also added music to Spooky Soiree and worked with entertainers like stiltwalkers and fire dancers to contribute to the ambiance. Other upgrades included a valet parking option and logistical improvements that made the overall guest experience more relaxing.

The Grapevine Young Professionals would like to thank Insurance Solutions USA for its contribution as the main presenting sponsor of the event, along with the countless local businesses that contributed. 

Grapevine YP is Accepting New Members 

YP hosts several events throughout the year, allowing members to pick different activities that work with their busy schedules. It has a monthly luncheon on the first Thursday of the month and a monthly Happy Hour on the fourth Tuesday. Additional events and meetups are often planned around volunteer work, networking, and professional development.

“We currently have around 150 active members in Grapevine YP,” said Evans. “The Chamber is always open to welcoming new people who fall within the age range and want to grow.”

Prospective members can learn about Grapevine YP online, on social media, or by emailing John Adkins, the Director of Programs and Events for the Chamber of Commerce at john@grapevinechamber.org. 

Hessel shared that this group, which started several years ago, was created to provide young professionals with informative speakers and the opportunity to create their own programs with topics that impact their needs at this time in their professional growth. This committee of the Chamber has come from their own enthusiasm, focus, and positive reinforcement of each other as they move forward.  

YP is Part of an Involved Grapevine Community

YP is just one organization that supports Grapevine's families, environment, and professional development. See what life is like in Grapevine and why more people are choosing to live here. It's easy to find your community and meet people with similar interests and values. Choose Grapevine, Texas, and start your next chapter here.

Learn more about growth in Grapevine through the Grapevine Economic Development Corporation. This is where a thriving workforce meets opportunities for business growth.