'Haunted Spook Walk' Donated In Memory Of Fallen Boy Scout, 12

MASTIC BEACH, NY — A Mastic man who gives the community a hauntingly good time each Halloween also has a heart of gold.

When reached for an interview Wednesday, Sean Henderson, of Mastic, was busy at work, buying ghoulish makeup in advance of Friday's shiver-inducing opening of the "Haunted Spook Walk"; the walk takes place on Friday and on Halloween, with haunting hours from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 61 Parkwood Drive in Mastic Beach. Saturday's hours have been canceled due to a forecast of inclement weather.

Henderson, 42, said he's been creating the Haunted Spook Walk at his house since he was 14. "I just enjoy doing it on Halloween. I also love Christmas and the Fourth of July — but I really love Halloween," he said.

In past years, proceeds have been donated to the Friends of Shirley and the Mastics Food Pantry, but this year, Henderson was heartbroken when he heard about Andrew McMorris, 12, who died tragically after he and members of his Boy Scout troop were struck by an alleged drunk driver while out on a hike.

"I chose Andrew's family because it must be hard, losing a little boy," he said.

Although Henderson's initial thought was to use the funds raised to send Andrew's family away on a trip during what he believes will be a painful holiday season, the McMorris family has asked him to donate all proceeds to Andrew's Boy Scout Troop 161 and to the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, he said.

"This happened locally, in our neighborhood, in our backyard," Henderson said, adding that he hoped to counter the pain and sadness with his act of caring.

Henderson, who's also planning a Christmas Village pop up next year in Copiague's Tanner Park, complete with live reindeer and Santa, said visitors to his "Haunted Spook Walk" are in for the experience of a lifetime.

"They've probably never seen anything like this, right on someone's property on Long Island," Henderson said.

Henderson's friend Nicole Hickey spoke about his acts of kindness. "He runs food pantries, adopts multiple kids at Christmas — he's just over all very involved in our community," she said.

Photos courtesy Sean Henderson.