Haunted house to raise money for vets is looking for donations

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — One local resident has come up with a creative way to raise money for the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center: through opening a haunted house at her home on Pine Street. Betty Nicholson said she came up with the idea while thinking of ways to raise money for local veterans, and based on this year’s success she hopes to make it an annual fundraising event. “I am planning to hold the haunted house Oct. 25 on the weekend before Halloween,” said Ms. Nicholson. “I am doing this to raise money for the veterans outreach center because they fund so much. They providing housing and food for the people who risked their lives for us.” Ms. Nicholson said she chose to raise money for veterans because so many members of her family have served in the military, and she sees this haunted house as her way of giving back at a time of year when supporting veterans may not be on the minds of residents. “A lot of my family have been in the military, and the veterans definitely need help,” said Ms. Nicholson. “They need to be appreciated more than just on the designated holidays. They need our help year round.” According to Ms. Nicholson, she is still looking for Halloween decoration donations from residents to help set up her house for the event. “I’m just asking people to see if they have decorations up in the attic that they rarely use that they can contribute,” said Ms. Nicholson. “I am a stay-at-home mother, and they more than welcome to drop it off at my home.” Ms. Nicholson is also asking that area businesses get involved in her fundraiser by donating items that she can include in a raffle she is planning. “Fitness Concepts gave me a month’s membership and Main Street Tattoo gave me a $50 gift certificate,” said Ms. Nicholson. “If more businesses want to contribute to the raffle they can contribute with gift certificates or whatever they can.” Darrell Keating, director of the outreach center, said he was thrilled with Ms. Nicholson’s idea. “We wouldn’t survive without donations from the community, whether it be individual or group efforts such as this,” said Mr. Keating. “I think this idea is absolutely wonderful.” The success of the event, according to Ms. Nicholson, will depend strongly on community involvement something she expects will make for a fun-filled night for both children and adults. “When the kids come they will be getting candy, and the parents can participate in the raffle and have a good time and the opportunity to win something,” said Ms. Nicholson. “This is good for the community and it is good for the outreach center.” Ms. Keating said residents or businesses looking to contribute donations can drop them off at her home at 91 Pine St. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 4 on 9/10/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 214)