History

The Founding of Candle Lighters

In January, 1969, a small group of women wanted to put their talents to charitable use. They had one goal in mind: Find a way to raise money to build a YMCA building in Fremont. Dorothy Pegueros, Betty Sabraw, Anita DeDomenico, Sumi Lampert and Flo Aragon formed the first board of this new organization, calling it the Candle Lighters. They were soon joined by many others, including Mary Emerson, Jane Bell, Roberta Gullick, Liz Mertins and Margaret Reiner. These women were the first Candle Lighters.

Anita’s proposal of a “Ghost House” captured everyone’s enthusiasm. They talked a local printer into designing the now well-known Candle Lighter logo. (In the Candle Lighter tradition, he was talked into donating his time.) They were official then. And the very first Candle Lighters Ghost House became a reality that October in an old brick winery located on what is now the Ohlone College campus.

Little did this group of women realize they had started a local Halloween tradition that has raised well over $1.5 million for a wide variety of community projects in the Tri-City area. An early newspaper article described the group as “What promises to be the most spirited and enterprising women’s group on this side of the Bay.” How right they were!

In 2016, Candle Lighters opened membership to men for the first time. We are honored that our male volunteers, who have worked tirelessly over the years to make the Ghost House a success, now have an opportunity to be members of our organization. And we’re proud that year after year, many local students volunteer their time and talents to help bring the Ghost House to life.

With the many changes and challenges in Fremont, Newark and Union City through the past 50 years, the Candle Lighters Ghost House remains a family-friendly, affordable Halloween tradition that keeps “scaring up” funds for local charities, schools, community groups and civic projects.