By Hannah Caver, Staff Writer
TRUSSVILLE —A Trussville family plans to host a fundraiser to raise donations for veteran suicide awareness in the form of a haunted house in Stockton from dusk until 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 30 – 31.
Scotty and Rachel Gilmore returned home to Trussville last year, but their love for Halloween has always been a part of their yearly traditions. While living in Kansas, they created a haunted house in the garage and Halloween party for friends. Once they moved to Trussville, they decided to take the scare to the next level for more people to enjoy.
“I decided to turn our backyard into a complete haunted house,” Gilmore said. “I think we had over 500 people came through it last year.”
Due to the positive turnout, the Gilmores decided to recreate the haunted house this year for Halloween but would use the haunted house to benefit others. Gilmore explained as an Army Veteran, he plans to donate to Mission 22, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping soldiers and their families.
Gilmore plans to donate to a different foundation every year and grow the haunted house to impact many people. A huge thanks to the following sponsors for helping out: Navifreight LLC, Daniel Signs Incorporated, Amanda Mitchell-Burns Mitchell Agency, Trussville TOGO, Rogue Pest Solutions, Alabama Affordable Automotive, Keller Williams (Bentley Drozdowicz Group), ASD Consulting Solutions LLC, Mama Suz Fried Pies, and Hug Chiropractic Clinic.
Hug Chiropractic Clinic has offered to donate to the Gilmores and help pay for various supplies and help with the set up of the haunted house. Gilmore said his main reason for doing the haunted house is to see his community come together and have fun.
“Just to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they come out made everything worth it. We had kids who kept going in and out the whole night,” Gilmore said. “So it was just nice to know that they all had fun, and they actually enjoyed it. Especially with everything that’s going on right now. People need something just to get away from reality and have a good time.”