In a captivating display of Halloween spirit and community generosity, a Memphis homeowner has transformed his yard into a veritable haunted house, all in the name of a noble cause. The elaborate skeleton-themed decoration has captured the attention of neighbors and social media, but the true purpose behind this spooky spectacle is to raise funds for the renowned St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Bringing Chills and Thrills to Charitable Giving

A Skeleton-Filled Yard for a Worthy Cause

The homeowner, Richard Winkles, has spent nearly two months meticulously setting up this life-size Halloween display, with the first skeleton prop going up on August 20th. The yard is now adorned with hundreds of skeletons, creating an eerie and captivating scene that is hard to miss. But Winkles' motivation goes beyond mere decoration; he is using this spooky showcase to support a nationwide fundraising effort known as "Skeletons for St. Jude."

Winkles explains, "We decided that while we are doing this display, we wanted to help out an organization. So we did some Google research and found Skeletons for St Jude. It started five years ago with one gentleman in North Carolina. He started this by putting a sign in his yard. You scan a QR code, and the money goes straight to St. Jude."

The goal of this campaign is to raise as much money as possible to help sick children at St. Jude get better and enjoy the Halloween and holiday seasons, just like everyone else. Winkles is determined to get more people involved in the Memphis area, as St. Jude is located right in their backyard.

A Growing Nationwide Movement

The Skeletons for St. Jude campaign has been gaining traction across the country, with hundreds of houses participating in the effort. Last year, close to 1,000 homes throughout the United States supported the fundraiser with their Halloween displays.

Winkles is hopeful that his eye-catching display will inspire more local residents to join the cause. "Next year my goal is to get more people involved in Memphis since St. Jude is in our backyard," he says. "We should have more people who want to do this. So our goal is to get more people locally to join in on our campaign."

The signs surrounding Winkles' yard make it easy for visitors to donate to the cause, and the homeowner is determined to ensure that the message of support for St. Jude patients and their families is the true highlight of the display.

A Haunting Treat for Trick-or-Treaters

In addition to the elaborate skeleton display, Winkles has a special treat in store for trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. He will be hosting a haunted porch experience, where visitors can walk through and receive a treat at the end.

The display will remain up until November 1st, giving the community ample time to enjoy the spooky spectacle and contribute to the Skeletons for St. Jude fundraiser. Winkles' dedication to this cause is a testament to the power of community spirit and the ability to turn a Halloween tradition into a meaningful charitable endeavor.