Organizers Report Donation Decrease in Old Saybrook and Westbrook, Connecticut

REGIONAL - While residents and visitors to Connecticut River Valley had fun at the Haunted Hayride and Kids' Haunted House, organizers report donations to be lower than that collected last year.

Heavy rain and windy conditions proved to be a challenge for volunteers at the Haunted Hayride at Clark Memorial Field in Old Saybrook.

Public Relations Coordinator Max Sabrin estimated that the event, which is a major fundraiser for the Old Saybrook Volunteer Fire Department and Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantry, was attended by 3,000 to 4,000 less than anticipated.

Attendance for the six nights was estimated to be about 6,500 people.

The event was cancelled on Oct. 19 and ended early on Oct. 26 and 27 due to heavy rain.

Sabrin said the busiest nights were Saturday, Oct. 20 with 2,200 visitors and Sunday, Oct. 28 with 1,400.

Typically the busiest nights are Fridays and Saturdays with more than 2,000 people.

Adults were charged $10 and children under 12 were charged $5 and Sabrin explained that it costs the department $12,000 in expenses to pay for props, makeup, supplies, and costumes.

After expenses are paid, proceeds go for the department's fire training exercises and to help fund expenses for next year.

Overall, the department made less this year than last year.

Those wishing to donate to the department can visit www.oldsaybrookfire.com.

Those who brought canned food items for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen received $1 off the admission price.

1,572 pounds of food was collected and recently distributed at the Shoreline Soup Kitchen's distribution site at the First Christ Church on Main Street in Old Saybrook, according to Old Saybrook Food Pantry Manager Marge Schofield.

Sabrin said last year, the hayride collected 1,800 pounds of food.

Donations of canned food can be made to Shoreline Soup Kitchen at drop-off boxes located at Stop and Shop in Old Saybrook and Clinton, A&P in Old Lyme, and Colonial Market in Essex.

In neighboring Westbrook at the Kid's Haunted House at the Tanger Outlet Center, organizer Dan Coan said he was pleased with the turnout despite the decrease in donations from last year.