The Niles Haunted House Scream Park recently announced it raised more than $55,500 for more than 80 area children’s organizations, civic groups and other charities in its 2009 season, its 30th year.

Proceeds benefited local school and service organizations, including Parchment Girl Scout Troop 467, Boy Scout Troop 555, Make a Wish Foundation, Girls Scout Senior Troop and the Niles High School Band Boosters. The funds will also be used for two local college scholarships that were established years ago.

The project included six haunted attractions and provided volunteer opportunities both in construction and operation of the Scream Park. Plans are underway for even more frightening additions this year. Six hundred volunteers worked more than 23,000 hours during the park’s 21 nights of operation.

Another milestone was reached at the park Oct. 17 – when Sam Eleff of South Bend entered the haunted house, he became the 1.2 millionth interior visitor since attendance records began being kept in 1981.

The Scream Park is recognized nationally in the haunted attraction industry. Last year it was one of the featured haunts in the movie “Halloween – The Happy Haunting of America Part II.” The park was also the featured haunt in the February 2007 issue of Haunted Attraction Magazine, a national publication.

The park is 44 acres on Mayflower Road between Niles and Buchanan.