Monthly supernatural-human mixer breaks fundraising records despite botanical complications for three attendees
The Harlan’s Creek Community Center’s monthly “Djinn and Tonic” social mixer raised a record $12,347 for the Tri-County Food Bank on Tuesday evening, organizers confirmed, though three attendees remain temporarily transformed into houseplants following what officials describe as “a minor wishgranting miscommunication.”
The event, now in its eighth month, brings together local supernatural entities and human residents for fellowship and community fundraising. Tuesday’s gathering drew 73 attendees, including representatives from the International Yowie Council’s local chapter, four members of the Harlan’s Creek Poltergeist Collective, and an unidentified entity standing approximately seven feet four inches.
Transformation Incident Under Review
The plant transformations occurred during the evening’s wish auction, when local djinn Amara Al-Waziri was granting minor requests in exchange for food bank donations. Three bidders—identified as postal worker Janet Keen, retired librarian Harold Voss, and teenager Marcus Chen—were successfully transformed into a spider plant, African violet, and what the Department of Cryptid Affairs describes as “probably a fern” respectively.
The wording was admittedly ambiguous. When someone says they want to ‘put down roots in the community,’ context is important.
— Amara Al-Waziri, Local Djinn
Al-Waziri, who has volunteered her wishgranting services for the past six months, expressed regret over the incident. “The wording was admittedly ambiguous,” she said in a statement issued through the Community Center’s PA system. “When someone says they want to ‘put down roots in the community,’ context is important.”
⚠️
FIELD ALERT
The transformed residents are conscious and able to communicate by rustling their leaves. Family members are encouraged to maintain regular watering schedules.
Record-Breaking Success Despite Complications
Community Center director Patricia Morse called the evening “an overwhelming success” despite the horticultural complications. The $12,347 total represents a 340% increase over last month’s mixer, which raised $3,600.
BY THE NUMBERS
• 73 total attendees
• $12,347 raised for Tri-County Food Bank
• 3 temporary plant transformations
• 1 coffee urn exorcism required
• 6 noise complaints filed (later withdrawn)
Arthur Pritchard, spokesperson for the Department of Cryptid Affairs, characterized the transformations as “a positive step forward in supernatural-human community integration” and noted that all three individuals are receiving appropriate care at the Community Center’s temporary greenhouse facility.
They’re adapting remarkably well to photosynthesis. Harold’s already asking for a southern-facing window.
— Dr. Amelia Cross, Network Cryptid Biologist
Dr. Amelia Cross, the network’s consulting cryptid biologist, reported that the transformed residents are “adapting remarkably well to photosynthesis” and that reversal procedures should be completed by Friday, assuming the specialized equipment from the regional DCA office arrives as scheduled.
maravane@whatthecryptid.com Mara Vane · Senior Investigative Reporter & Field Correspondent — WTC
