Goodland, KS (November 19, 2024) — The Engineering Technology program at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest successfully hosted its annual haunted house event on Friday, November 1st, and Saturday, November 2nd, raising funds and collecting food for Genesis of Sherman County, a local food bank. Over two nights of spooky thrills, 801 patrons came through the haunted house, which was designed, built, and operated by students in the Engineering Technology program.
Thanks to the community’s support, the event raised over $2,000 in cash donations and collected more than 12 crates of food for the food bank. In a show of community solidarity, Miller Construction Services matched the funds raised on the second night of the event and made an additional donation to Genesis of Sherman County.
Michael Zimmerman, Engineering Technology Instructor at Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, expressed his pride in the students’ efforts. "Every year, the students do a great job putting the haunted house together and providing a fun activity for community members to enjoy. Genesis of Sherman County helps to support a large number of families in our community, and we are glad that we can use this event to join in on that effort."
Zimmerman also highlighted the special partnership with Miller Construction Services, saying, "This year was special with the additional support coming from Miller Construction Services. We want to extend a huge thanks to them for joining in on the effort to give back to the community."
The haunted house event would not have been possible without the generous support of local businesses, who donated funds earlier in the semester to help build the haunted house. These contributions played a critical role in bringing the students’ creative vision to life. The department extends its heartfelt thanks to all the local businesses who supported this year’s event.
Additionally, a special thank you goes to Sherman County for allowing the use of the animal barn at the fairgrounds as the venue for the haunted house each year. The space provides a perfect setting for the event, and the collaboration with the county was invaluable.
The haunted house is part of the Engineering Technology program’s commitment to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities while giving back to the local community. The success of this year’s event showcases the power of collaboration and the impact that students, businesses, and local residents can have when they come together for a good cause.
About Fort Hays Tech | Northwest:
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest offers a range of technical programs designed to prepare students for careers in high-demand fields. The Engineering Technology program provides students with the skills needed for success in a variety of engineering and manufacturing industries, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world applications. For more information about Fort Hays Tech | Northwest, visit www.fhnw.edu
About Genesis of Sherman County:
Genesis of Sherman County is a local nonprofit organization that works to fight hunger in the community by providing food assistance to families in need. Through donations, fundraising events, and community partnerships, Genesis aims to alleviate food insecurity in the Sherman County area.
Students from the Engineering Technology Program, along with Janelle Miller from Miller Construction Services present their donation to Genesis of Sherman County.
Students work to organize and sort donated food from the haunted house at Genisis’ food pantry
