Ghosts, ghouls, games for ‘spooktacular’ cause; STGnews Photo Gallery

Pumpkins are provided for kids to paint at the "Spooktacular" fundraiser for Kony Country's Coins for Kids, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – It was all candy, costumes and coins on Wednesday evening at Red Cliffs Health and Rehab as the nursing facility and home hosted its third annual “Spooktacular” fundraiser aimed at raising money to support Kony Country’s Coins for Kids.

Ronan Krulisky and Heather Krulisky have fun playing games at the "Spooktacular" fundraiser held at Red Cliffs Health and Rehab, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Ronan Krulisky and Heather Krulisky have fun playing games at the “Spooktacular” fundraiser held at Red Cliffs Health and Rehab, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

The Halloween-themed night invited guests of all ages to break out their costumes, play games, trick-or-treat through the nursing home halls and paint pumpkins, while benefiting a good cause.

Coins for Kids, according to its website, is a charitable nonprofit organization “dedicated to the goal of providing Christmas for disadvantaged children in the Washington County area of Southern Utah.”

Southern Utah residents familiar with the charity, recognize the large scale that sits on the corner of Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard showing the amount of money raised during the holidays.

In order to get a jump start on the holiday earnings, Red Cliffs Health and Rehab hosts the “Spooktacular” event, Community Relations Manager Hayley Pearson said, because there are so many families in the area who need the help, and with money tight during the holiday season, it is easier for some to give a little earlier.

The 2013 event raised $1,000 for Coins for Kids, Pearson said, and this year they hope to match, if not exceed, that amount.

“This is our third annual event,” Pearson said. “The turnout has been great and we just want to work to keep making it bigger and better each year.”

Red Cliffs Health and Rehab believes strongly in helping the community, Pearson said, whether it be raising money for a child with cancer or helping to fund a large charitable effort like Coins for Kids.

“Whatever it is, we are willing to help out,” Pearson said, “and this one we know is a really big need here in Southern Utah.”

Families who attended the event were able to participate in a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating put on by the home’s residents, a photo booth, games, pumpkin decorating, a costume contest and more.

Kooky and creative trophies are awarded to children in the costume contest at the "Spooktacular" fundraiser held at Red Cliffs Health and Rehab, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Kooky and creative trophies are awarded to children in the costume contest at the “Spooktacular” fundraiser held at Red Cliffs Health and Rehab, St. George, Utah, Oct. 29, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News

Several area home hospice and care facilities were also present to represent their companies, as well as volunteer at the event.

Janet Carter, of Horizon Home Health and Hospice, ran the photo booth which allowed patrons to receive a Polaroid photo of themselves in costume.

Carter was volunteering for her second year and said that turnout for this year’s event had been great, adding that the children loved seeing their photos.

Although beneficial to their business’s, most of the companies represented, came for the cause.

“When we heard that Red Cliffs was doing the Coins for Kids ‘Spooktacular’ again, we wanted to come over and support that cause,” Journey of Hope Hospice representative Aubrey Brown said, “because we know how important it is.”

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