EmmaLeigh Smith, a 2000 graduate of Niles High School, is a longtime volunteer at the Niles Haunted House Scream Park. The scream park opens Friday, Sept. 12 and is located on Mayflower Road in Niles. Money raised is used to fund scholarships for local students and many area civic groups and charities. Visit the website at haunted.org or call (269) 687-FEAR.

 

Q: What do you do as a volunteer?

I’ve been a volunteer out at the scream park since at least 1990. I‘ve worked in pretty much all the capacities. I am an actor, I’ve helping with building, I was the group leader in high school getting volunteers to work out there, I handed out flyers at football games. The main thing I do is the acting.

 

Q: What character do you play?

I play Nancy. She is a young girl from about the turn of the century who was hanged at the site of the Niles Haunted House. She is a ghost. Nancy tends to be at the midway most of the time, but she roams throughout the entire scream park.

 

Q: How did you get involved with the scream park?

I started because my parents were involved. My dad (Jim) was on the board of directors for the Niles Haunted House. My mom is Martha, although she goes by Marty. I started when I was about 8 years old out there. My dad played Beetlejuice. I enjoyed getting to work with him. I also enjoyed scaring people and knowing that you are doing it for a good cause. All the money goes back to the community. It is a good way to raise money for our choir and also the scholarship fund.

 

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering there?

The main thing is working with the people out there. They’ve become my haunted house family. We’ve developed relationships and we are all joined together for a common cause to raise money and to provide a family-friendly entertainment option during the Halloween season. I also enjoy seeing so many people enjoying what we do out there.

 

Q: Why is it important to volunteer?

I think that we are given so much and it’s important for us to give back to the community. The community of Niles helped raise me. Now it is my turn to give back and try to make the community a better place.

 

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as Volunteer of the Week by calling Craig Haupert, community editor, at craig.haupert@leaderpub.com, or drop them off at the office, 217 N. Fourth St., in Niles.