ST. GEORGE — Tony and Lori Evans might have the best Halloween decorations in the state of Utah, but even if not, they get extra points for making their home scary for a good cause.
When trick-or-treaters come to their house at the corner of 200 North and 300 West in LaVerkin, they’ll be greeted by two 12-foot tall skeletons named Skelly and Inferno among other creatures, monsters and Halloween baddies.
Tony Evans said the skeletons were purchased at Home Depot and are part of a fundraiser that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has put on for the last two years.
“They started it last year with a few homes across the nation that did it,” he said.
Evans said the skeletons have codes that visitors can scan with their phones and that link to a St. Jude donation page.
This year “Skeletons for St. Jude” has already achieved more than its goal of $45,000 in donations. Home Depot has matched that, and donations keep coming in.
“We don’t do this for notoriety or to have the best Halloween yard,” Evans said. “We do it because it’s a good cause and to raise money for kids.”
In one year the fundraiser grew to over 300 homes across the country, he said.
Looking at the elaborate Halloween display on their lawn and house, it’s pretty clear that the Evans take the holiday seriously. Evans said that they also go all in during Christmas season as well, decorating the house with some 10,000 lights.
But Halloween is all about the kids and treats. In the past the Evans have been known to pass out Hot Wheels cars for the trick-or-treaters.
Evans said he ordered Inferno, a glowing skeleton with very human-looking eyes that follow you around the yard, the day Home Depot released it, but it still took over four months for it to get shipped.
“They’re selling out at all the Home Depots,” he said, adding that toys and decorations are harder to get than most products right now due to the slowed down supply chain. “It’s five days before Halloween, and there’s still people waiting for their ship to get here.”
Evans said he starts looking for Halloween decorations in July. While many decorations in his Halloween display are from Home Depot, he also built some of them on his own, like the giant spider and web that haunt the lawn.
“I just like to do it,” Evans said. “The grandkids come over, and of course they love helping me.”
Photo Gallery
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Inferno, a giant fundraising skeleton at the home of Tony and Lori Evans, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Skelly, a giant fundraising skeleton at the home of Tony and Lori Evans, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Halloween decorations at the home of Tony and Lori Evans serve as a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, LaVerkin, Utah, Oct. 26, 2021 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.