What started as an elaborate Halloween decoration in North Carolina has grown into a nationwide fundraising movement, with 625 households across the United States expected to participate in 2026.
asserted
households → start → 2026
Jeff Robertson, who launched Skeletons for St. Jude in 2020, is now hoping the initiative will reach its ambitious target of raising $2 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
asserted
initiative → launch → Hospital
Robertson, from Holly Springs, North Carolina, initially attracted attention for his elaborate Halloween yard display, which featured an army of skeletons.
asserted
which → attract → skeletons
His decorations became so popular that horror fans travelled for hours to see them.
asserted
fans → become → them
But instead of keeping the spotlight on his family, Robertson decided to use the attention to support children receiving medical treatment.
asserted
Robertson → keep → treatment
“That night we had a family huddle and said, ‘This is kind of cool that we’re on the news, but you know, let’s kind of take the spotlight off of us,” Robertson told St. Jude Inspire.
asserted
Robertson → have → Inspire
“Like, how can we use this for good?”
asserted
we → use → good
The family agreed to start a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
asserted
family → agree → Hospital
That decision gave rise to Skeletons for St. Jude, which has raised more than $1.1 million in its first six years.
asserted
which → give → years
Jeff Robertson’s Halloween tradition now includes 625 homes
asserted
tradition → include → homes
Jeff Robertson’s Halloween skeleton display sparked a nationwide fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, raising over $1.1 million since 2020.
asserted
display → spark → 2020
What began as one family’s effort has expanded into a nationwide campaign involving hundreds of Halloween enthusiasts, commonly known as “haunters”.
asserted
began → begin → haunters
Participants decorate their homes with skeletons, animatronics, tombstones and other spooky attractions, inviting visitors to enjoy the displays while contributing to the fundraiser.
asserted
Participants → decorate → fundraiser
In 2026, the initiative is expected to bring together 625 households across the US.
asserted
initiative → expect → US
A week before Halloween, 202 participating households had already registered their addresses on the online “Fright Map”, helping visitors locate participating homes and plan their visits.
asserted
visitors → participate → visits
The fundraising season extends beyond Halloween, continuing through December 25.
asserted
season → extend → December
This allows participating families to use their seasonal displays to raise donations and awareness for the hospital throughout the holiday period.
asserted
families → allow → period
The campaign’s message encourages people to take part without giving up the Halloween traditions they already enjoy.
asserted
they → encourage → traditions
“Same haunt you already build.
asserted
you → build → haunt
Way bigger reason,” the initiative said in a statement.
asserted
initiative → say → statement
Skeletons for St. Jude sets $2 million fundraising target for 2026
asserted
Skeletons → set → 2026
Now in its seventh year, Skeletons for St. Jude has set its sights on raising $2 million in total donations by the end of 2026.
asserted
Skeletons → set → 2026
The campaign also aims to raise more than $100,000 during the 2026 Halloween and holiday seasons.
asserted
campaign → aim → seasons
The organisers have thanked the volunteers and participating households who have helped turn Robertson’s idea into a nationwide initiative.
asserted
who → thank → initiative
“Thank you to all of our team members who have made Jeff’s dream more than a reality!” the organisation said on its website.
asserted
organisation → thank → website
It also encouraged more people to join the campaign and use their Halloween displays to draw attention to the children being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
asserted
It → encourage → Hospital
St. Jude says families do not receive bills for treatment, travel, housing or food, helping them focus on their children during an extremely difficult time.
asserted
them → say → time
From 40 animatronics to a 12-foot flaming skeleton
From animatronics to towering skeletons, Halloween enthusiasts are turning spooky home displays into fundraising opportunities for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
asserted
enthusiasts → flame → Hospital
The participating homes have developed their own creative ways of attracting visitors and encouraging donations.
asserted
homes → participate → donations
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jeffery Broking spent October setting up a display at his grandmother’s house, installing more than 40 animatronics.
asserted
Broking → spend → animatronics
For him, the fundraiser has a personal connection.
asserted
fundraiser → have → connection
He told WDIO ABC that he has been dealing with seizures over the past few years and has met several sick children and their families.
asserted
he → tell → children
“I just want to give back,” Broking said.
asserted
Broking → want → ?
In Willits, California, participant Krystle Coffman had a 12-foot flaming skeleton on her lawn, with safety measures in place.
asserted
measures → have → place
She told local reporter Kym Kemp that visitors could also expect candy and other surprises.
uncertain
visitors → tell → candy
“We will be handing out candy and may have a few special surprises,” Coffman said.
uncertain
Coffman → hand → surprises
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Stripling was building her display in Delmar, Maryland, decorating her lawn and her neighbour’s property with skeletons, pumpkins, tombstones and spiderwebs.
asserted
Stripling → build → skeletons
Stripling said she was already decorating for Halloween when she learnt about the initiative and decided to participate.
asserted
she → say → initiative
Joining the fundraiser gave her an additional reason to expand her collection while bringing happiness to children in her neighbourhood.
asserted
Joining → join → neighbourhood
“The more I learned about it, I thought, why not?” she told news station WMDT.
asserted
she → learn → WMDT
…and 8 more, not listed.
The Aporia
