‘Wismann Lane Cemetery’ fundraiser benefits Toys for Tots

QUINCY — Chris Terrell really, really likes Halloween. He and his wife were married on Halloween, and he loves haunted houses. Terrell was a part of the original group that launched Fright Night for Honor Flights.

He decided to do something different last year, and the Wismann Lane Cemetery was created. It will be open Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, and again Oct. 28, 29 and 31 from 6-9 p.m. at 5132 Wismann Lane. Admission is an unwrapped toy or a monetary donation.

Toys for Tots, which is run by the U.S. Marine Corps and is celebrating its 75th anniversary, is the local agency that will benefit from Terrell’s talents.

In a press release, Terrell said, “I have an uncle who was killed … he was a Marine during the Vietnam War. And I have a lot of nieces and nephews who are in the Marines. … Because I was from a big family and my mom was a single parent … if it wasn’t for Toys for Tots or other organizations, we wouldn’t had much underneath our (Christmas) tree.

“So, for me, (giving back to Toys for Tots) was a good choice.”

The cemetery is open to all ages — even the little ones who like to be scared, but not too much.

“I always ask if there’s little kids if they want to ‘scare’ or ‘no scare,’” Terrell said. “If they say ‘no scare,’ they can come through and then the monsters will take off their masks and just kind of wave at them and there’s ‘no scare.’ They can still get the joy of everything.”

“(Terrell) just came up with the idea on his own and approached us last year letting us know what he was doing,” said Jessica Humke, coordinator for Toys for Tots. “He raises a ton of money and puts so much work into it for the community and just gives it all back. It’s awesome.”

Terrell collected around $1,000 and nearly 100 toys in 2021. Humke is excited to work with him again.

“He gives them a good scare,” Humke said. “He gives them some full-size candy bars. He makes it a good time for them.”