Clarence Center's "Haunted Hollow" provides scares for charity

It's a Halloween tradition dating back to 1997.  The moment night falls over Western New York in late October, Gary Server--aka "Scary Gary"--opens up his home for a spooktacular fright in Clarence Center.

A former kindergarten teacher, Scary Gary started his haunted house right in his classroom for one night with all donations going to charity.

"After three years, we thought well let's take it home.  We already did some decorating here and we could make it a little bit og a longer experience, so we can do more with it," Scary Gary said. 

Now every two years, Scary Gary and his wife "Bloody Mary" continue the family frightful experience in their garage.  This year the two are raising money for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Oishei Children's Hospital.

If you take a walk through the maze or visit the "broom shop," you will notice some "scarers."  They're all past students.

"I'm just glad if I had a small role in encouraging them to be involved with the community I'm happy with that," he said.

Ryan Alessandra has been volunteering at the Hollow since he was in middle school.  He's now a Senior at Clarence High School. "You'd be surprised at how scared people can get," Alessandra added.

Gabby Ganschow is also a senior at Clarence High School.  She said Mr. Server in kindergarten, too.  "Even if I scare one person all the people around them will just start laughing and have a fun time and it will bring them memories," she said.

Daniel Decker was in kindergarten 23 years ago and still helps out every other year.

"If someone as selfless as Gary can go out of his way and put money towards his own hobby and try to raise money for a hospital, it is a great event and I applaud him for it.  I wish more people were like that," Decker said.

Over the frightful years, Scary Gary and Bloody Mary have been able to scare up tens of thousands for Oishei. Two years ago, "Haunted Hollow" raised close to $30,000 in donations.

"Haunted Hollow" is open on Fairlane Drive in Clarence Center from 6-9p.m. every evening through Halloween.  Donations are welcomed.

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