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Haunted attraction that raises money for Grosse Pointe school teachers faces uncertain future

Posted at 4:10 PM, Jul 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-12 18:30:49-04

(WXYZ) — A popular haunted attraction that raises money for school PTO's in Grosse Pointe Farms is facing an uncertain future.

We are 111 days away from Halloween.

For almost 13 years, the Haunted Garage on Mack Avenue near Lexington Road attracts visitors and raises thousands of dollars for school PTO's.

But because of a severe storm last month, the area where the annual haunted garage would be is now jeopardized and that’s downright frightening.

“We had a storm and the storm put a number of trees on my house,” Glen Williams said.

A monster storm wreaked havoc on Williams' yard last month, toppling trees onto his home breaking windows, poking holes through his roof, damaging his yard and destroying some Halloween props.

For more than a dozen years, Glen hosted the annual Haunted Garage on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Farms.
This former teacher loves this spooky holiday!

“I have a Halloween collection, maybe I can turn that into something which could help the schools and that’s how it started,” Williams said.

The Haunted Garage raises money for Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods school PTO's. Last year they raised more than $20,000 during this family friendly attraction that won’t scare the life out of you.

“We also offer the ‘no-scare’ blinking light for families that are a little nervous going through a haunted attraction,” Williams said.

He thought the biggest challenge would be opening under pandemic restrictions, but he says those plans are looking good.

“Our actors are already socially distanced. They are not allowed to get close to you,” Williams said.

But with the storm he’s not sure if the place will be cleaned up and repaired in time. Earlier in the week, a supporter started a GoFundMe page for him but he asked to take it down. Williams said the reason he did that was because money wasn't the issue, time is.

Now he's assessing the damage before deciding if the haunted garage is a go!

“What is the yard going to look like? What is the house going to look like? Can we get those things done, because there is a certain point when I need to start building,” he said.

For more information the Haunted Garage: https://www.hauntedgarageproductions.org/