Tonight and tomorrow are the final two nights of the annual Hotel Vernal Haunt charity event, ‘Spirits at the Maine’. The magical and spooky experience is thanks to an amazing team of volunteers that look forward to the Haunt all year. Brandy and Kevin Jenkins are among the volunteers that have been involved in the charity Haunt from the beginning and have loved every minute of involvement. Many volunteers offer their professional skills to the cause. As a welder, Kevin Jenkins uses his skills and creativity to bring to life the visions for the Haunt each year. “Quinn Bennion and Megan Munoz have brought together an amazing creative team and haunt board that work so well together,” shares Brandy Jenkins. “When these men and women get together amazing things happen. The challenges of filling a forest never once stopped anybody from jumping in with everything they have. Participating in something that benefits our home town and helps the local charities is something we have always tried to teach our 4 children is important,” continues Brandy. “Give with all your heart. Your payment is seeing the excitement in a child’s face, or happiness in a parent’s laughter as they spend time with their family.” The Haunt’s success each year is thanks to the behind-the-scenes efforts of the Munoz, Bennion, Crane, Hawke, Dick, Merrell, and Nedelkov families and this doesn’t even include the labor of love of the enthusiastic volunteers that help with security, scaring, and food. “The sponsors in this town give us the tools to make it successful,” explains Brandy. “We really don’t even think of it as work. It’s something we enjoy doing and that excitement at the end is worth the hundreds of hours that are put in.” Event organizer Quinn Bennion agrees and says the Haunt has provided a place of belonging for many. “The Haunt is more than just a Halloween event with fun and festivities,” explains Bennion. “The Haunt is a volunteer outlet for many youth and adults to contribute to a higher cause of charitable giving. It provides hundreds of volunteers the chance to creatively and energetically give back to their community in a fun way. It is very moving to see a teenager connect with the Haunt and feel valued and a benefit to their community. Our volunteers look forward to reconnecting with their fellow Haunters each year.” Come be part of the creepy magic they’ve created during the final two nights of the Laser Show and Haunt Walk, tonight and tomorrow at Remember the Maine Park. Visit www.hotelvernalhaunt.com for more information. 
Photo Credit: Geoff Liesik
