Caledon, Ontario — For the past 11 years Sandra and John Barbaro, owners of Albion Hills Auto Collision transform their Caledon, Ont. bodyshop into a haunted house of horrors for the local community. With the facility currently undergoing renovations, the pair was convinced that this year’s haunted house would have to be cancelled.
But a few weeks ago, Sandra was approached by a local firefighter, who offered to let the business use the station to host this year’s fan-favourite event.
“As many of you know, we are currently in construction mode. Due to the state of the property, we are unable to set up our haunted house,” the business owners wrote in a Facebook post. “But the amazing firefighters at the Palgrave fire station have graciously offered their space for us to up a haunted house for Halloween night! How amazing is that?!”
“We’re very excited to partner with Albion Hills Auto Collision for their annual haunted house,” Daryl Roy, the assistant district fire chief told a local news source. “It’s one of the best community events of the year. Our firefighters really get into the spirit of it, too, giving out candy, decorating and giving tours of the hall. And it’s totally a charity event, with proceeds going to Sick Kids. We’re proud to be a part of it.”
Each year the Barbaros donate the event’s proceeds to Sick Kids, typically raising anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000 for the charity. The haunted house features a decorated hallway for local trick-or-treaters to walk through, gathering candy along the way. It’s a popular event within the community, with some families making it an annual tradition to return year after year.
“This event is amazing,” wrote one Facebook user on CSN Albion Hills’ post. “I know how much the kids love it.”
Sandra says the event has become not just a community tradition, but a family one as well.
“Our parents, siblings and their families all come out to help,” she said.
CSN Albion Hills will host its haunted house at the Palgrave Fire Hall, 17177 Highway 50, on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
