The Niles Haunted House Scream Park isn’t all about scares, although it has plenty of that to go around.

Last year, the nonprofit community project donated more than $82,700 to school and community organizations whose members helped run the haunted house’s various attractions.

Donations totaled more than $75,000 in 2010 and $55,600 in 2009. In fact, the scream park has given back more than $1.2 million over the past 16 years, according to park manager Pete Karlowicz.

The scream park also funds college scholarships for students in Niles, Brandywine and Dowagiac high schools.

It takes between 150 and 200 volunteers to run the scream park each night.

“It’s a win-win because the people out there are doing it for a worthy cause, and the people that come have a lot of fun,” Karlowicz said.

The Niles Haunted House Scream Park, 855 Mayflower Rd. in Niles, opens Friday to the public. The park features six attractions: Niles Haunted House, House on the Hill, Field of Screams, Dark Terror-tory Haunted Hayride, Zendor Presents: Talent Show and the Midway of the Macabre.

A special guest at the park this year is Aron Houdini, the only living Houdini descendant of the Great Houdini. Aron will perform escape tricks and other spectacular feats on the nights of Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. On Sept. 21, Aron will perform, one time only, an escape while hanging upside down from a great height. He will also be conducting group seance sessions and shows of illusions on both nights.

As always, the Niles Haunted House Scream Park changes from year to year, meaning many new scares await even those who have attended the park in the past.

For more information, call (269) 687-3327 or visit the park’s website at www.haunted.org.