'We Scare Because We Care': Ghouls On Glasgow Fundraising For Charity

FRANKFORT, IL — One of the many tombstones in the Ghouls on Glasgow yard has an inscription that reads "We share because we care," and the giving spirit is very much not dead — or even undead — this Halloween at the popular Halloween display in Frankfort.

This year, Kyle and Katie Showalter are scaring up donations with their Halloween display featuring more than 50 animatronic props for the Maddog Strong Foundation, an organization started by fellow Frankfort residents Frank and Cyndi Grobmeier that aims to spread awareness of organ donation.

The non-profit Maddog Strong Foundation was started in memory of the Grobmeiers' daughter Maddie “Maddog” Grobmeier, who died from an asthma attack June 30, 2019, the day after her 18th birthday. Just months before her unexpected death, the teen had told her parents she wanted to be an organ donor if something ever happened to her.

"(Ghouls on Glasgow) is perfect because Maddie and [her sister] Sam loved Halloween, and they would've loved this," Cyndi Grobmeier said.

Ghouls on Glasgow, located at 19821 S. Glasgow Drive in Frankfort, is now in its third year. The Halloween display, which draws hundreds of people from across the area, has more than 50 animatronic props and hidden scares for people to enjoy.

Kyle began building in the winter for this year's display, he said. One of the most noticeable of the dozen or so new props this year is a 12-foot witch to go along with the pair of 12-foot skeletons.

And the display has now grown so large that the Showalters' spooky characters have invaded the neighbor's yard. Dave and Vicki McAndrew have been the Showalters' neighbors for the past five years, and this year Dave invited Kyle to add to the display by offering his family's own front yard.

"It's been great. And, honestly, our kids love it, and we love having people come look at it," Vicki said. "So, rather than [Kyle] having to use the parkway or having it all bunched up, we just thought it would look a lot cooler having him spread it out. It's a better experience for everyone."

Kyle said his family chose to collect donations for the Maddog Strong foundation after running in the foundation's Miles for Maddog 5K/10K Run and Walk.

"It just really hit home for us," Kyle said. "It's a local charity that we've seen in the community, and we wanted to keep [collecting for charities] in the Frankfort area, so we thought it would be a great charity to raise money for."

The Showalters do not charge a fee for anyone to come out and view the display. Those who would like to make a donation to the Maddog Strong Foundation can do so of their own free will at one of the secure drop boxes on the property or by scanning a QR code posted along with information about the foundation, which is posted along with the drop boxes.

Any donations will go directly toward the Maddog Strong Foundation's main initiatives, which include high school programs Teach Life and Students for Hope. Students from the Lincoln-Way East High School chapter of Students for Hope will be at Ghouls on Glasgow on Oct. 7 passing out hot apple cider and information on the program, Frank Grobmeier said.

Ghouls on Glasgow officially opens for public viewing Oct. 7 and will run everyday through Halloween, though children and families in the neighborhood have been interacting with the display well ahead of the official opening date.

People can visit the display from dusk until 10 p.m. on the weekends, and from dusk until 9 p.m. during the week.

For more information on the Maddog Strong Foundation, including registration for the organization's third annual Miles for Maddog 5K/10K Run and Walk on June 24, 2023, follow this link.

Readers can follow along with the Ghouls on Glasgow on its Facebook page for the latest information by following this link.

Check out the photos below for a sneak peek at some of the decorations on display at Ghouls on Glasgow.