By Michelle Poirier
Every year Laurie Carriere and her family decorate their home on Hawkins Street with some fun displays to entertain the community over the holidays, and they ask for donations in return.
The annual Hawkins Halloween Haunt For Hunger runs until October 31 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. nightly, weather permitting, at 9 Hawkins Street in Sutton.
You can donate non-perishable food items, toys and monetary donations into monitored donation bins at the house.
The donations will be passed on to the Georgina Community Food Pantry, the Georgina Pop-Up Breakfast Club, the Optimist Club, Santa’s Helpers and to local Churches.
“Last year, was amazing. With the communities wonderful support we were able to donate a lot of food, approximately 1000 food items to the Georgina Food Pantry, the breakfast program, churches and lots of toys to Santa’s Helpers and the Optimist Club,” she said.
“This year with the help of our awesome communities we hope to surpass 1200 food items and 200 toys to help those in need.”
Carriere said those who visit and donate often have a higher chance of seeing some well known characters, like Marshall or Chase from Paw Patrol, Elmo or Cookie Monster from Sesame Street, or some spooky characters like evil clowns, pirates and zombies.
Many of the other houses on Hawkins Street also join in and decorate for the Halloween.
“Volunteering is a way of life for us. All the hard work, time and costs are worth it. It’s so rewarding to help people and animals,” she said.
“We love hearing all the laughter, compliments and seeing all the smiles, it’s addictive. My family and I feel that it is really important to be a part of our community and to help when we can, while having fun and hopefully lifting community spirits, especially during these difficult times.”
They ask that you visit at your own risk, drive carefully, to remain in your vehicles, follow all COVID-19 rules, and to donate and visit often.
They are also looking for donations or new or used Halloween and Christmas outdoor lawn inflatables and lights to help expand the display. To donate you can email Mikeirual@hotmail.com.
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