Ghouls for Good gives families chance to celebrate Halloween without worrying about costume prices
With the price of Halloween costumes rising, the Butler County Young Professionals are back for another year to offer free costumes to children across the county.
The 11th annual Ghouls for Good event was held Monday afternoon, Oct. 12, at Butler Cubs Hall on South McKean Street. Each attending child got a costume of their choice, as well as a bag full of coupons for local businesses.
For Nicole Ang, a mother of three, it was a huge relief to know her children will have costumes they love without worrying about the financial strain of buying them.
“I wanted to make sure they had costumes for when they go to school and everything like that so they can dress up. I don’t want them to feel left out. It’s just very hard to make sure they still have everything while making sure all the bills are being paid,” she said.
After shopping around, all three of her children found a costume they liked. The eldest, Mikko, 8, will be Superman; Millie Rose, 4, will be Tinker Bell; and Layland, 3, will be a garbage man for Halloween.
Dan Kovach, director of operations for the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, said Young Professionals conservatively estimated about 400 costumes will be given away out of the 700 or so available Monday.
“We’ve heard from a lot of people that they’re happy to have newer costumes for their kids. Otherwise, some wouldn’t have anything or would have to throw something together. In this case, it gives them an opportunity to come and pick out something that their kid wants,” he said.
The event was also attended by a regional celebrity — Iceburgh the penguin. Kovach said he was a big hit with the children and parents alike Monday.
“Everyone’s always happy to see Iceburgh,” he said.
Young Professionals accept costume donations throughout the year from individuals and businesses. They also use funds from events and sponsorships to buy even more choices.
One sponsor of this year’s event, Bricks & Minifigs in Butler Township, had a table set up with thousands of Legos for children to build and play with.
Craig O’Brien, the store’s owner, said he knows firsthand as a father how challenging it can be to shop around while children are wanting to play. He said his hope in coming to the event was to bring just a little extra joy to the children attending.
“There’s a reason some of these people are here today. If (children) can play and think for 10 minutes today life was less ... life, it’s a win. Maybe that saves one kid from a spiral down the wrong choice,” he said.
He said when he was a child, he took things like toys and Halloween costumes for granted and now hopes to give back to those who might be less fortunate than he was.
Kovach said anyone interested in donating Halloween costumes for next year can reach out to Butler County Young Professionals through its social media accounts or contact the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
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Tables lined the hall with costumes while Iceburgh and members of Butler County’s Young Professionals assist at the desk at Ghouls for Good on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Layland Ang gives Iceburgh a high-five at Ghouls for Good, sponsored by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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From left, Abi MacKrell, Dan Kovach, Chelsea Febinger, Craig O’Brian, Harley Pflugh, Iceburgh, Paige Kirmeyer, Emma Podobensky, Ian Gillian and Anna Bodamer pose for a photo at the 11th Ghouls for Good event Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Chelsea Febinger, left, and Ian Gillan place items in a bag at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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A boy tries on a mask at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Costumes were available for all ages at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Iceburgh welcomes everyone at the entrance to Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Sponsor list at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Some candy bowls decorate a table at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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Some young patrons get assistance on costumes at Ghouls for Good, sponsored by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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A boy looks for a costume to try at Ghouls for Good, sponsored by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
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A costume hangs waiting to be selected at Ghouls for Good by Butler County's Young Professionals on Monday, Oct. 12, at Cubs Hall in Butler. Andrew Jackson/Butler Eagle
