Halloween-ing for a cause

By RAK Staff | October 17, 2012

“We think Fangs for Friends is going to be a bloody good time,” says Dr. Shayne Guffey, owner of Mountain View Family Dental. "We always love doing things to give back to the community but this year we wanted to do something different." The promotion is also made possible by Patterson Dental Supply Inc.

The lure of a “bloody good time” or even “scary-oke” sounds a bit more enticing when you know your effort will make a meaningful contribution to a great cause. Here are a few options we’ve learned about. Let us know if your organization has a frightfully clever fundraiser planned!

VAMPIRES ARE IN SEASON, especially with the upcoming release of the new movie “Twilight, Breaking Dawn,” the third and final installment in the wildly popular series of vampire movies based on the books by Arizona author Stephenie Meyer.

But every vampire needs a good set of choppers, and a Mesa dentist is stepping up to make them available to any toothless vampire wanna-bes out there.

Mountain View Family Dental is hosting a “Fangs for Friends” promotion now through the premier of the “Breaking Dawn” on Friday, Nov. 16. Life-like, custom-fitted fangs are available for a donation of $50 and 100 percent of the donation goes to Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona.

It requires an in-office visit of about 15 minutes to have your teeth measured to fit the fangs, then it takes about an hour to get them made. Mountain View Family Dental is located at 2820 E. University Dr. in Mesa. Appointments must be scheduled in advance: 480-830-0262 or mountainviewfamilydentistry.com.

The Haunted House at Vaseo Apartments clearly offers some not-so-scary fun, too. This photo is from last year's event, courtesy of Vaseo Apartments.

VASEO APARTMENTS in north Phoenix is hosting its third annual Haunted House, with all proceeds benefiting the Washington Elementary School District and nearby North Canyon High School in the Paradise Valley Unified School District.

For four nights, the apartment complex, located at Seventh Street and Greenway Road, will be full of zombies, clowns and even more frightening features for thrill-seekers. Last year’s event drew more than 3,000 merry-makers over two nights.

Vaseo’s haunted experience also will feature food, music, and activities for all to enjoy, including: childrens’ costume contests, face painting, a bounce house, and “scary-oke.” Raffles will be held each night with up to $2,000 worth of prizes awarded.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at the door for $2 per person, per entry. Hours are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Oct 19-20 and Oct 26-27. vaseoapartments.com.

SCOTTSDALE’S NEWEST HAUNTED ATTRACTION, The Panic Park, hopes to scare away hunger this Halloween season. Donations of non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance will earn you $5 off admission each Sunday. To qualify for the discount you must donate at least three canned or non-perishable items upon arrival on any Sunday during October. The Panic Park is open Thursday through Sunday and is located at The Pavilions at Talking Stick (Indian Bend and Pima Roads in Scottsdale). For hours and prices or to purchase tickets call 480-999-0303 or visit thepanicpark.com.

CHAMBERS OF FEARS HAUNTED HOUSE also is collecting canned food for St.Mary’s Food Bank. The Halloween attraction, located in the Bell Mar Plaza at Bell Road and 114th Avenue in Surprise, will discount $1 off admission per can of food (up to three cans, for a total of $3 off per person) this week only. Learn more at chambersoffear.com.