By Holly Jackson, Contributing Writer

Elvis may be dead, but Ghoulwill Ball was alive with the theme, “Ghosts of Graceland.” More than 400 grown goblins dressed in all shapes, sizes and colors came out of haunting at the recent Driskill Hotel to benefit Goodwill Industries of Central Texas.

Halloween revelers enjoyed tarot card reading by Xephyr, a photo booth, face and body painting by Brenda Shelton with Balloon People and live music by Blue Finger Disco.

The Elvis-inspired menu included peanut butter, bananas and blue-suede-shoes sandwiches with milk shooters; Mississippi chicken tenders with southern gravy; big E’s mini pulled-pork sandwiches; trick-or-treat teriyaki salmon satay and mummy wraps (Chinese spring rolls). The rock-and-roll desserts featured peach cobbler and home-style banana pudding.

An impressive silent auction showcased trips to New York, Las Vegas, Whistler, Disney World and Colorado. Westbankers who donated items were Chief Art Acevedo of the Austin Police Department, Barton Creek Resort, Anna Gray Gift and Jewelry Boutique, Beehive Boutique and Hill Country Cupcake.

Westbankers and event chairs Jay and Kelley Lamy organized a costume contest with celebrity judges Andrea Ball of the Austin American-Statesman, Kelly Slifka of CBS News, and Alicia Dennis of People Magazine with Lauren Petrowski of FOX 7 News as the emcee.

The entertaining winners were Paul Hofmeiser, Tania Tost and Robert Diaz as alien Elvises, first place; Daniel Cooley as Edward Scissorhands, second place; and Terry Tingley as a lost TWA pilot, third-place.

“For our third-annual Ghoulwill Ball, we not only brought Central Texans together to celebrate our mission of changing lives through the power of work, but also we solidified our reputation in the community as the Halloween headquarters,” said Jerry Davis, chief executive officer of Goodwill.

Proceeds of $102,658 were 40 percent more than last year. These funds assist Goodwill’s job programs and services that help thousands of individuals with barriers to employment find meaningful jobs. The nonprofit collaborates with human-service agencies to provide the best support network for people with disabilities and disadvantageous conditions who are seeking work.

For further information, visit www.austingoodwill.org.