Tommy's Haunted Walk Raises Suicide Awareness In Horsham

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — It started as a Halloween tradition. But for Connie Kim, the community event holds a deeper meaning that is closer to her heart.

In October 2020, Kim and her siblings decided to create a little haunted walk-through in her backyard as a free community event for the neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Halloween night.

"Halloween has always been a fun holiday in our family," Kim told Patch recently. "We enjoy seeing all the kids dressed up for Halloween."

The first year the family did it, 80 people showed up. It kept going from 2021 through 2023 with continued success.

But then came tragedy for the family.

Tommy Keyser 44, died of suicide on Sept. 1, 2024, devastating to the family, which struggled to even consider doing the Haunted Walk without their brother.

But now they hold the event in his honor, having changed the name from the Horsham Haunted Walk to Tommy's Haunted Walk.

The 6th Annual Tommy’s Haunted Walk-Thru takes place from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday at 314 Garden Ave.

""We decided to shift our focus to bring awareness to the community. Our focus is let people know that there’s a hotline available. If you feel alone or just need someone to talk to, call or text 988. A bad day doesn’t have to end tragically," Kim said.

The family hands out a candy bar, stickers and bracelets, and hangs banners trying to bring suicide awareness to the community.

"If we can help even just one person, everything we do is worth it," Kim said. "This year, we have 3-D printed keychains to spread awareness. We are up to about 140 visitors, some are loyal repeats, and some are new. It’s still free to attend. We are hoping to keep growing every year. Our goal one day would be to do it two nights."

(Connie Kim)