By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – John Riley of Notre Dame (Ind.) and Keri Pawielski of St. Joseph were the overall winners at the Monster Mash on Saturday.
The Monster Mash was held at the Niles Haunted House as a fundraiser for the Volunteer Center of Southwestern Michigan.
The event featured a 5K run, 1-mile fun run/walk and a trick-or-treat maze.
During the awards ceremony, the Volunteer Center was presented a check for $500 from the band Ground Effect from a fundraiser it held Labor Day Weekend called "Hogg Bash 3."
"Hogg Bash 3" was held in Bangor over Labor Day Weekend and drew approximately 1,200 people. A total of 28 bands performed.
According to Eric Bradford of Ground Effect, the group decided to give something back to the community and felt that joining forces with the Volunteer Center was perfect.
Doris Higgins, executive director of the Volunteer Center, said that the money will be used to help fund the Youth Volunteer Program.
Buchanan Middle School students helped man the trick-or-treat maze. The group was there with teacher Amy Bender.
Monster Mash
5K Run
Overall Male
John Riley of Notre Dame, Ind.
Overall Female
Keri Pawielski of St. Joseph
Age Division Winners Male
25-29
Grant Farrell of Niles
40-44
Ron Bush of Berrien Springs
45-49
Jim Geiger of Niles
50-59
John Riley of Notre Dame
60 and over
Robert Husek of St. Joseph
Age Division Winner Female
30-34
Keri Pawielski of St. Joseph
45-49
Liane Hoppstock of Niles
50-59
Cindy Stockdale of South Bend, Ind.