Hopedale Squadron 682 put together a haunted trail fundraiser to raise money for the community.
The Sons of The American Legion Squadron in Hopedale, Ohio, is conducting a unique fundraiser to support both American Legion Post 682 and the community.
Each weekend this October, the squadron is hosting a haunted trail at the post.
“We wanted to do something to bridge the gap between the community and the Legion,” said Squadron 682 Finance Officer Troy Harris. “Our focus has always been for the kids and our community.
“We wanted to do something that could bring people to the Legion and that won’t break the bank for them.”
The trail costs $5 for adults and $3 for children and is open from 7-11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night during October. A hayride takes attendees from the post into the woods, where they make their way through a maze and a half-mile walk in the dark.
The trail is also handicap-accessible. “My sister is handicapped and if I can push her wheelchair through it, then it’s perfectly fine,” Harris said.
The squadron hosted a haunted trail for one weekend last year, and its success prompted the return this year. Harris credited squadron commander Joe Shepherd, as well as Russ Byers and Kaci Edwards for the trail’s success. Byers and Edwards operated a haunted house in an old school building before it was torn down.
Harris is also grateful for the community’s support. “We have had over 750 people so far,” he said after the trail’s first two weekends.
Half of the proceeds will go into creating next year’s haunted trail and the other half will go back to the community. “We spend a lot of money in donations each year,” Harris said, including events like Shop With A Cop, Pulling for the Cure, food pantries and more.
- Sons