Local family takes part in Skeletons for St. Jude fundraiser with spooky display
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The Big LeBoneski is seen in his natural habitat, lining up to lob a pumpkin bowling ball at a cluster of skeleton pins.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The illuminated sign to make a donation to St. Jude is seen.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS A coven of decorative witches are pictured huddling around a cauldron.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The group of skeleton pins are seen tied up at the end of a makeshit bowling lane.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The Big LeBoneski is seen in his natural habitat, lining up to lob a pumpkin bowling ball at a cluster of skeleton pins.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The illuminated sign to make a donation to St. Jude is seen.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS A coven of decorative witches are pictured huddling around a cauldron.
TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The group of skeleton pins are seen tied up at the end of a makeshit bowling lane.
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BELLEFONTE -- A family in Bellefonte is once again getting creative in their efforts to raise funds for St. Jude and cancer research.
The Mattie family are back again this year with not one, but two unique Halloween displays that are encouraging people to help "The Big LeBoneski" and friends strike out cancer.
This is the second year the Mattie family has held the Skeletons for St. Jude fundraiser to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Last year, the family was able to raise $1,675 thanks to donations from family, friends and the Bellefonte community.
This year, the family hopes to raise $1,500.
Six more skeletons and three more witches have been added to the display this year, along with more lights. And, The Big LeBoneski himself -- a 12-foot tall skeleton -- has a custom bowling jersey honoring "The Dude" of which he's named after.
Nancy Mattie said the goal of the fundraiser is to help kids with cancer. "Because everyone knows someone impacted by cancer," she said.
"The sooner better treatments and a cure are developed, the better," she said.
Nancy said an added bonus is bringing joy to the local community with the display.
Two displays have been constructed along Pine Circle in Bellefonte with lights coming on each night after dark. The displays include:
-- Graveyard Alley that includes The Big LeBoneski lining up a shot to strike out 10 skeleton pins.
-- Stop by for a Spell that includes witches Evette, Cybill, Hansel and Gretel boiling up something to die for.
A large QR code sign is displayed with the decorations with a link to the fundraiser. Those who wish to donate, but are unable to stop by can visit http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/TheBigLeboneski23
Cash donations can be made under "Friends of the Big LeBoneski."
"All donations go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital," Nancy said.
She noted, plans for next year's display have already begun with the theme Skeleton Hot Tub Party.
HISTORY OF THE FUNDRAISER
Skeletons for St. Jude (SSJ) is a nationwide fundraising effort of home haunters that use their Halloween displays to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to support children and their families impacted by childhood cancer. Their goal is to raise as much money as possible to help get sick children well and out of the hospital so they can enjoy these fun Halloween and holiday displays.
The fundraiser originated in Holly Springs, N.C., in 2020 with the Robertson family placing a St. Jude fundraising sign in their yard after a local TV station aired their skeleton Halloween display. After generating $8,200, in a few short weeks, and meeting several families impacted by childhood cancer, the Robertsons were moved to turn the fundraiser into an annual event.
For the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, SSJ, leveraging social media, expanded the effort across the nation recruiting thousands of SSJ partners to join the effort. By Halloween in 2021, there were over 400 SSJ partner homes and by 2022 the number of homes grew to over 630 homes including homes in almost every state. To date, thousands of generous donors have donated over $394,000 to help the children and families battling cancer. This year, SSJ is striving to break the half-million-dollar mark.