Halloween decorating for a cause

Halloween is quickly approaching, and despite the snow, many have gone above and beyond in making sure their houses fit the theme, some also taking the opportunity to decorate for a cause.

“She’s in the hospital right now. She’s intubated because she got the common cold. With kids who have NGLY1 deficiency, that can be very serious,” said Anna Howard, whose display is at 1137 Devonshire West, is fundraising to raise money for NGLY1 genetic research through Grace Science Foundation

Howard’s family holds fundraisers at Halloween to fundraise for genetic research, to help her daughter Willow.

“She’s eight years old. She was diagnosed when she was just 2, and she’s the only patient in Manitoba with this. There’s less than 100 in the world,” said Howard.

Howard’s Halloween yard is Harry Potter-themed because family members have bonded through the films and books. Howard says as a child, she and her uncle would read the books and see the movies together, and now she reads the books with her niece. Howard says she wanted to share her family’s love of the Potterverse with the community.

“They love it. We can hear the screams in the house. There’s been quite a lot of support. So we set a goal this year to raise $500, and we’ve already exceeded that which is phenomenal,” said Howard.

Howard says she’s grateful for the support the family has received during their Halloween fundraiser over the last 5 years, stressing every donation helps.

“All of this hard work definitely pays off,” said Howard. “There is some good news because, with the funds we’ve raised, there’s a gene therapy that they’re hopefully having in January next year.

Renald Bilodeau and his family have a horror-themed display in their yard every year. This year, they’re raising money for women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention. The entire family helps put together the display throughout the month of October.

“We got so into it and you know, the energy was just so exciting and fun, just to set things up. And also to get a reaction from the neighbourhood and all the kids,” explained Bilodeau, whose display is at 1301 Waller Street, is fundraising for women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention through Royal LePage’s Shelter Foundation.

“Halloween is our thing, so we really get into Halloween.”

Bilodeau says it’s a labour of love, and the family tries to keep the community entertained by slowly putting out decorations, and trying something new with their display each year.

“My wife is very eager to get everything up. I have to kind of hold the reins back, because she wants to get everything out right away and I’m like, we gotta sort of save something for Halloween night!”

Both displays are open this weekend, all the way to Halloween night. Bilodeau says if children come by in costume this weekend, they may just get an early Halloween treat.