Volunteers add scares on Marshall Road

Photo By Marcy Sanchez | The fourth annual Fort Bliss Family and MWR Massacre on Marshall Road allows William Beaumont Army Medical Center volunteers to participate in providing fun and scares at Fort Bliss, Oct. 20. The haunted attraction provides a venue for Fort Bliss families to enjoy an affordable haunted house during the month of October, while allowing WBAMC volunteers to give back to the community.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

10.31.2016

Story by Marcy Sanchez  

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

As you step toward the trading post on Fort Bliss, the beige warehouse is far from terrifying but also lacks transparency.

During October, the former commissary turned shopping center is home to Fort Bliss Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s fourth annual Massacre on Marshall Road, a haunted experience for the Fort Bliss community, opened to the public as well.

While the morbid journey provides a terrifying night for children of all ages, the live frights would not be possible without the efforts of dozens of William Beaumont Army Medical Center volunteers over the month-long undertaking.

“Volunteers are the core to everything we do here,” said Lora-Lynn Diem, community activities coordinator, Fort Bliss Family and MWR. “(Volunteers) are the ones we depend on for others to have a good time.”

Volunteers are not only tasked with the setup and teardown of Massacre on Marshall Road, but are also essential for the screams and scares within the haunted attraction.

“Volunteering helps (Massacre on Marshall Road) out extremely because there wouldn’t be a haunted house without the volunteers,” said Staff Sgt. Joshua McCoy, practical nursing specialist, Department of Surgery, WBAMC.

According to McCoy, who admits he’s not the type that enjoys dressing up, it takes some warming up to transform into characters, such as frightful clowns or popular big-screen horror personalities, but it’s all well worth the effort, which gives back to the community and units volunteering.

“I volunteered to help the organization and do what needs to be done,” said McCoy, a native of Thomaston, Georgia. “Volunteering helps raise funds, plus it’s kind of fun.”

Whether or not volunteers revel in the terrifying volunteer work, their contributions also have an impact on Fort Bliss family’s pockets.

“The reason we started (Massacre on Marshall Road) in the first place was to ensure Soldiers and family members had an economic way to go see a haunted house,” said Diem.

Entrance fees to Massacre on Marshall Road have been five dollars since the doors fist opened four years ago.

Volunteers who enjoy horror-themes and disguising themselves in costumes wouldn’t have the opportunity to do so without Massacre on Marshall Road, said McCoy. Events like these allow volunteers to give back to the community.

William Beaumont Army Medical Center volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours in volunteer work during multiple events over the past two months in support of WBAMC’s annual Holiday Ball. According to WBAMC’s volunteer coordinator, Massacre on Marshall Road is the most demanding volunteer event because of the month-long support to the haunted attraction.

“The haunted house is just decorations,” said Diem. “Without the (volunteers) in it, it’s nothing.”

• Date Taken: 10.31.2016
• Date Posted: 10.31.2016 10:47
• Story ID: 213323
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: THOMASTON, GA, US