Tickets Remain For 'Party With A Purpose' At Baker Hill, Supporting Manhattan Nonprofits

MANHATTAN, IL — Joe Kasprzyk and his wife Andrea can't wait for people to see what they've done with the place.

A house on a hill with a barn, and sitting on 11 acres at US 52 and Baker Road in Manhattan Township, now transformed into a short-term rental designed to entertain 30 guests. It's a dream inspired by their own friend trip, brought to fruition down to the finest detail, and ready to be unveiled to the community.

READ ALSO: Friend Trip Inspires Couple's Transformation Of Manhattan Township Former Farm

The couple bought the house at 16015 W. Baker Rd in the fall, and have poured time, inspiration and creativity into it. Where there's a large group and a will, this place might just be the way.

Called "Baker Hill," the 3,500-square-foothouse offers five bedrooms plus a furnished basement, and can sleep 28 to 30 people. Down the driveway, there's a 4,500-square-foot entertainment barn with a bar, overhead projector and screen, classic arcade games and a kids' area complete with playplace, bounce house and more. They believe it's the ultimate space where kids can be kids while adults can kick back. Outside, a fire pit has been freshly dug and awaits s'mores. Lounge chairs look out over Jackson Creek. A mini golf course has also been added for guests looking to putt around. And there's a hot tub, of course.

Now eager for the community to experience it, the couple will host a "Party With a Purpose," on Saturday, April 26—an event featuring live music, drinks and food. Tickets are $25 each (and an additional processing fee), and can be purchased online. The price covers three drinks, live entertainment and food from Joey's Red Hots food truck. Proceeds go toward four local nonprofits—and the buyer can choose which one to support at check-out. Each nonprofit selected has Manhattan ties, or is located there. At ticket purchase, the buyer can select which cause will receive their ticket proceeds.

The nonprofits selected are:

• Siblings Among the Clouds
  • Siblings Among the Clouds was created by new-ish Manhattan residents Katy and Tim Landuyt, as a way of processing grief following the death of their daughter, Sophie. Born at 24 weeks and weighing just 14 ounces on Sept. 16, 2022, Sophie fought mightily against time and the odds, until her tiny body surrendered. Siblings Among the Clouds is a nonprofit intended to raise awareness and provide a community of support and healing to the siblings of pregnancy and infant loss. The nonprofit's earliest effort has been to create Build-A-Bears like the "Sophie" bear—with a recording of Sophie's heartbeat placed inside—that means so much to Ryne, for donation to families at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

• HHH Ranch
  • Founded by Christine Doran, HHH Ranch takes in rescued animals and provides therapeutic offerings for those with varying and specific needs. As a registered 501c3, the ranch relies on donations and fundraising to help feed its many hoofed, furry, or feathered creatures. All kept on the farm—located at 14101 West Bruns Road—have been taken in as rescues or animals needing a little extra love.

• Lincolnway Area Special Recreation Association
  • The Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) provides recreation services for individuals with disabilities through a cooperative agreement with its eight member park districts: Crete, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone and Wilmington Park Districts. Currently serving over 400 individuals through more than 200 programs annually, participants range from preschool through adult who have recreation needs that are not met by traditional park district programs.

• F3 Nation Workouts
  • F3—Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith—is a free, peer-led men's workout group in which Joe Kasprzyk participates.

Party With A Purpose is set for Saturday, April 26, from 5 to 11 p.m. It is a 21 and over event. Live music includes Gilligan inside the BARn, and Wildfire on an outdoor stage. Tickets can be purchased online, with some still remaining as of April 21.