TIM WEIGHT/FOR L’EXPRESS A smash of skeletons gather for a pool party to raise money for St. Jude.

WEIGHT TIM/FOR EXPRESS
A spine of skeletons has fun in the sun – wearing appropriate glasses, of course.

BELLEFONTE — A band of skeletons in Bellefonte are making waves to help quell childhood cancer.

The Party of the Living Dead at 1291 Pine Circle in Bellefonte, the brainchild of Nancy Saxton-Mattie and her family, raises money to fight childhood cancer for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The exhibit features the towering 12-foot-tall skeleton, “Big LeBoneski,” and his friends as they enjoy a refreshing dip in the pond, which transforms from a waterside party the pool by day into a hot tub party by night. Resident witches Hansel and Gretel are of course also on hand to deliver a deadly punch to the rest of the skeleton crew!

The fundraiser, Skeletons for St. Jude, is a national “haunter” effort to raise more than $100,000 for St. Jude during the Halloween holiday season. The campaign, which involves nearly 1,000 households, has raised $154,810 so far this year and nearly $800,000 over the first four campaigns.

In their first two years of decorating their home, the Matties raised $3,290 through generous donations from family, friends and the Bellefonte community. This year, the Mattie family is now more than 90 percent of their fundraising goal of $1,500.

Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital are spread across several key areas, including patient care and treatment, research and development, education, infrastructure and awareness, to support its mission to treat and to cure serious pediatric illnesses.

“Their goal is to raise as much money as possible to help get sick children well and out of the hospital so they too can enjoy these fun Halloween and holiday displays,” said Nancy Saxton -Mattie.

She said her family is doing its part to help because “everyone knows someone affected by cancer” and the sooner we find a cure, the better. The joy the display brings to the community is just a bonus.

Skeletons for St. Jude hopes to surpass its $1 million fundraising goal by 2025, and they’ve almost reached that goal.

For those interested in helping Skeletons for St. Jude reach their goal, you can visit fundraising.stjude.org/goto/TheBigLeboneski23 or scan the QR code on the screen located at 1291 Pine Circle in Bellefonte. All cash donations will be made under “Friends of Big LeBoneski” and all donations will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.