By Bruce A. Fasol
A month of rehearsing and performing left one more item on the SCARE Associations ‘to-do” list: stock the food pantry.
For the past decade, the group has designed, built, and acted in the annual Haunted House, in West Frankfort. In the last ten years, there have been countless cast members, set builders, ticket takers and others who have taken part. One thing has remained constant and that every penny earned goes to charity. That is what founder Tara Chambers says seperates this effort from the other Haunted Houses in the area.
Dave Chambers, in truck, and Jan Melvin, load food to from Mad Pricer to help re-stock the local food pantry at Crosswalk Community Action. (Photo provided)
“That is what we decided to do the very first year, and continued to do it every year,” Chambers said. “We choose to help people who are in need.”
One recipient of this help each year has been the food pantry located at Crosswalk Community Action Agency, headquartered in West Frankfort. The food pantry is stocked for the Thanksgiving holiday by proceeds from the Haunted House.
This year, the SCARE Association spent approximately 1100 dollars for the pantry in food needs. Another $212 dollars was used to purchase personal care items such as tooth paste, shampoo, soap and other such items. Pepsi co. of southern Illinois donated $200 dollars in drinks for the cause as a major sponsor. Weeks Inc of West Frankfort, Black Diamond Harley Davidson of Marion, Senator Gary Forby all were sponsors as well. Addittional items for infants were donated by Tyler,Kim and Hudsyn Howard.
Other donations are planned, as proceeds go to various charites until the money is spent for the current year. In the past, animal causes, coats for children, and even individuals have been recipients of SCARE Association funds.
“We will take the holidays off, then planning for the 2013 Haunted House begins,” said Chambers.
The last two years, after various venues, Haunted House has been held on the second floor of the West Frankfort Elks Lodge.
” We all want to thank the Elks club for their contribution of their facility and countless other ways that they have helped us,” said Chambers. The winding halls and small rooms are perfect for the half hour walking tour it takes to complete the Haunted House. Next year, as in years before, it will be bigger and better, planners promise.
One thing that will not change is the mission to help people. As members always say — “We put the ‘care’ into SCARE.”
