When a global pandemic threatens the cancellation of an annual donor appreciation event, who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!

Actually, folks at the Harper College Educational Foundation called a vendor, which provided a big outdoor screen and secured the licenses to show 1984’s Ghostbusters as a drive-in movie on campus. The socially distanced event took place on October 30 at the community college in Palatine, Illinois, U.S.

More than 150 donors, who had continued US$100 or more to the foundation in the previous year, enjoyed watching Peter, Egon, Ray, and Winston battle Slimer, Gozer, and the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man just in time for Halloween. Harper’s event staff ensured the drive-in was safe and organized while catering services provided other necessary movie-watching elements.

“We used our onsite catering services for our snack boxes,” says Laura Brown, Harper’s vice president of marketing and communications and chief advancement officer. “We had popcorn and candy and pop, but we also inserted a little note for them, thanking our donors.”

The movie presentation was preceded by a video from the presidents of the college and foundation, thanking donors for their support. Brown says the drive-in concept allowed attendees to participate in something more exciting than a virtual event, but within the safety of their own vehicles.