When spooky season has a soft side

Every October, Jeff Robertson’s front yard in Holly Springs, North Carolina, transforms into something magical, and just a little macabre. What started as a few goofy skeletons in funny poses in the yard has transformed into Skeletons for St. Jude, a viral, nationwide movement that raises funds for kids battling cancer.

It all started in 2020, when Robertson set up his first big Halloween display to give his neighbors a laugh during the pandemic.

One day, a family visiting from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital stopped by with their daughter, who was fighting cancer, and her laughter changed everything. 

• “For that moment,” he said of her looking at the yard, “she was just a kid again.”
• He added a St. Jude’s donation sign to his yard after meeting the family. Soon, people weren’t just admiring the skeletons; they started to donate.

After four years, Skeletons for St. Jude has raised $650,000+ for the Memphis-based hospital, which provides life-saving pediatric care at no cost to families. Hundreds of homeowners across the country—from coastal suburbs to snowy cul-de-sacs—have also joined in the fun, building their own skeleton displays that link to the same donation page.

But the real story isn’t the spectacle. It’s the kids. And for Robertson, it’s proof that even a holiday about ghosts and goblins can bring out the best in people. “It’s about joy,” he said. “If a few skeletons in my yard can help save a child’s life, that’s the least scary thing I can imagine.”