Across Windsor-Essex, operators of haunted houses and spooky walk-throughs are finding a new meaning to giving for Halloween. The region has seen several homes offering experiences ask for donations of non-perishable food items and basic toiletries. On Chilver Road, Justin and Alex Raisbeck have spent years building an elaborate Halloween display, featuring handmade decorations that draw visitors from across the area. For the couple, seeing people enjoy their hard work is one of the biggest rewards. “Our driving force is to be able to create something and then stand back and have people enjoy it that way,” Justin said. Alex added they especially enjoy hearing which details catch visitors’ attention, knowing how much time and effort goes into each decoration. “I love when people come out and tell me about the things that they noticed or the little things that they saw, because we put so much thought and time and passion into it,” Alex said. But the display has grown into something bigger than Halloween entertainment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as food insecurity increased, the couple, while living in Newmarket, Ont., decided to use their annual attraction to support youth food banks. “That started making us think, let’s do this as a food drive, because everybody’s willing to give. If you just put the idea out there, people will give,” he said. Since then, donations have continued to grow each year, with contributions piling up inside the couple’s home. “We just keep it in our front hall. It takes over the house, becomes like a mountain. It’s amazing,” Alex said. Their Halloween Spooktacular will run Saturday night until 11 p.m., and on Sunday until 9 p.m. The Raisbecks aren’t alone in turning Halloween frights into an opportunity to help others. At Black Thorne Manor, visitors are also encouraged to make food and monetary donations while experiencing the haunted attraction. Richard Campbell, who spends weeks assembling the haunted house with his family, says giving back to the community has become an important part of the family’s Halloween tradition. “When we’re able to give to charities directly back to society and stay inside Windsor-Essex, it’s absolutely amazing,” Campbell said. His family has been collecting donations for about three years. Campbell says his own experience with homelessness has made the cause particularly meaningful. “I have been in that position where it’s eating out of a dumpster, living on the streets and nowhere to turn, and the fact that these people don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from for their kids is a great thing,” he said. This year, Black Thorne Manor is supporting Windsor’s On a Mission for the Mission. Campbell says the family funds the Halloween attraction themselves because they enjoy creating an experience for the community and finding ways to give back. “We do this on our own dollar because of the fact that we enjoy the experience and enjoy what we can do for the community and with the community itself,” he said. CTV News has created a map of homes with Halloween displays, which can be found here.
