Sisters of the Moon: Rising Utah Charity Hosts Parties With Purpose; Fourth Annual Halloween Party Invites Women to Get Their “Steampunk Witch” On For A Great Cause

By Denise Windley

Adrienne Dixon could not have imagined, in 1998, that the Halloween party she hosted in her Orem home would evolve into the significant philanthropic event it is today.  From the house to spacious venue, the annual October gathering that began with a dozen or so friends is now feted by hundreds at two major events each year, bringing in thousands of dollars for local charities.  Working side by side today with members of the nonprofit Sisters of the Moon, plans for the Fourth Annual Halloween Witch Party are well underway.

Sisters of the Moon, registered as a 501C3 nonprofit organization, was formed after Ms. Dixon’s Halloween guest numbers surpassed her home’s capacity. Having witnessed the joy and liberating effects her parties had on guests--recognizing that a costume or mask can give license to letting down one’s without fear of admonition--she held out hope for the party’s revival.  She saw, too, that friendships were formed and strengthened in supportive environments, like that which arose in her home.  Rather than cancel the Halloween celebration, she decided to pivot and build an annual event at a grander and more inclusive scale.

Pictured (above, left-right): Adrienne Dixon and Debbie Jensen discuss their charity work as the weeks draw closer to their fourth annual Halloween fundraiser. Pictured (left): Sisters of the Moon President Mindi Memmott is excited for the upcoming Steampunk Witch Party.

She met with like-minded friends and professional colleagues, and soon Sisters of the Moon came to be.  A mission statement promising “to bring women together in fun, lighthearted events to raise money for charity” followed.  Hard work, a committed team, and countless participants have lent to the events’ expansion and fundraising efforts.

Ms. Dixon serves as Sisters of the Moon Vice President in a committee that includes Debbie Jensen and Mindi Memmott, President.  Ms. Dixon and Ms. Memmott share direct ties to the Payson area, both having attended the old Peteetneet School as children.  Ms. Memmott also attended the old Payson Middle School, then located west of Memorial Park. The original building is no longer standing; an LDS church has since been built on the lot.  Ms. Dixon’s parents are Payson native Dave and Roberta Wilson, and the late Karen Olson, who was raised in Santaquin.  Her grandparents are the late Leslie “Buzzy” and Rowene Wilson of Payson, and the late Myron and Ethel Olson of Santaquin.

These women and others who make up the Sisters Committee reflect a range of backgrounds: homemakers, professionals, and business owners who are in direct contact with the population and its needs.

Pictured above: Sisters of the Moon (posted with permission)

Working face to face with clients at her permanent cosmetics salon, Ms. Jensen hears the stories of conflict and crisis that happen in private, as well as the hope and dreams shared by women in Utah Valley.  She says she understands the need for a supportive community for women and recognizes the role that Sisters of the Moon plays in bringing about positive change.  These thoughts are echoed by fellow Sisters.

“I’m involved with this because it’s time to give back in my life,” said Ms. Memmott. “I love to empower women and support women and children.  Empowering women is something that I have been doing through my hair business for thirty-five years.  Having an opportunity to bring people together so that a sisterhood really can be formed from a very raw, generic, organic source.  Women meeting women that they’ve never met before, making a friend and seeing that there’s no competition. There doesn’t need to be battles for men, or battles for being the skinniest or the prettiest.  You’re just actually looking into the soul of each other and actually making a friend.  To put away that whole idea that women are not enough.”

Interest and contributions are growing from one event to the next. The Food and Care Coalition in Provo, Utah, was the first charitable organization designated for event proceeds.  Not long after the First Annual Halloween Witch Party wrapped up, committee members delivered a check to the Coalition amounting to $10,000.  A year later, in 2014, four hundred women--one hundred more than in 2013--attended the Witch Party and helped raise $20,000 for the Center for Women and Children in Crisis. A Springtime Goddess Gala was added in 2015, inviting women to come out and socialize, become inspired by guest speakers, heal in a drum circle, dance, and partake of the food, laughter and sisterhood in a springtime celebration.  An additional $6,000 was raised.

This year, proceeds from ticket sales, event festivities, as well as financial contributions made towards the recent Goddess Gala and upcoming Witch Party will go to the Rape Recovery Center of Utah. One hundred percent of the proceeds received are contributed to the chosen charity, organizers say.

If you haven’t purchased your ticket yet, you will want to do so soon.  The Sisters’ parties are fast becoming the must-attend events of Utah Valley.  And they’ve received some impressive publicity in newsprint and on TV.  This year’s Goddess Party, for instance, was featured in a segment on Channel 4 Television’s Good Things Utah with host Necia Degering.

Good food and the fun atmosphere the parties promise, though, are a large part of the appeal.  “We have a buffet with lots of food,” Ms. Dixon said.  “We try to get most of it donated. Marvelous Catering usually donates this really yummy strawberry salad. Magleby’s always donates their yummy chocolate cake. And then one of our board members owns a restaurant and her vendors donate a lot of food. We have people that volunteer their time.  The Rape Recovery Center is sending some of their members to help us keep things going all night.”

Contests--including a costume competition--and psychic readings by professionals in Utah Valley offering their services, charging $20 per reading for the fundraising cause, make up the fun.  Then there is the dancing. This year a line dance instructor will provide lessons before the ladies hit the floor.   A live DJ will be working the sound, year spinning a song for every style.  “We try to play a variety of songs so that everybody’s happy,” said Ms. Dixon.  “We have it all.  We want everyone to get their songs played.”

The Sisters of the Moon Steampunk Witch Party takes place October 15, from 7 PM until 12 AM, at Noah’s Event Center, 1976 West 700 North, Lindon, Utah.  The event is open to women age 21 and older.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $45 each through eventbrite.com or sistersofthemoon.us or $65 that evening at the door.

Applications by charitable organizations interested in being considered for Sisters of the Moon’s 2017 charitable giving are currently being accepted. Donations to the charity are welcome, too. Visit http://www.sistersofthemoon.us/ for more details.