POLSON — It may only be early November, but Polson’s Nancy Hauserman just got done helping kids dress up. For Christmas.

For 14 years, Hauserman has been supporting homeless children and families through events she holds throughout the year. Her most recent event was a haunted house in Polson, which not only gave visitors the creeps, it’s giving children a holiday season.

For just a couple bucks, thrill-seekers had the opportunity to wander aimlessly through a hall of zombies, ghouls and witches. Sights included a cadaver room, electrocution and a morgue, but the story isn’t about the goosebumps people got by receiving a Halloween scare. It’s about the goosebumps people get through Hauserman’s generous nature.

The money raised through the haunted house, like the money raised through Easter and Christmas events Hauserman also puts on, goes to support less-fortunate individuals in the Polson area, specifically children. The haunted house helps Hauserman put together care packages for children, consisting of necessary items such as soap, shampoo and toilet paper, as well as helps Hauserman buy gifts for kids. Hauserman’s already put together 50 of the care packages, with a goal of 60 for the holiday season.

“What’s important to me is that people bring these needs down,” Hauserman said. “My philosophy is that we’re all close to losing homes. I’ve been on the streets and it’s not a pleasant place to be, so we need to pull together to help our neighbors.”

Hauserman’s charitable work partly stems from a Christmas party she held 14 years ago, though she’s been helping the less-fortunate her entire life. That party was so good and beneficial, she was urged to do more. And she did.

Today, Nancy’s Kids uses yard sale items to help put on events like the haunted house. Over the years, she’s also turned a church into a mortuary, put on a wax museum and has held dances.

The money she can’t raise to help put on such events comes out of pocket, but because of her dedication and contributions she has received help from people like Judge Wall and Ronan Dodge. When Hauserman’s truck broke down a couple years ago, Wall and Ronan Dodge stepped up and provided her with a van to help get her gifts to children. That help didn’t stop there.

“I just had my brakes go out and they said, ‘bring it down, we’ll fix them’ because they know what I do for the kids,” Hauserman said. “People like that who step up really help me a lot and that means a lot to me.”

Hauserman also receives support for her efforts from volunteers, though sometimes that help is tough to come by. For some projects, Hauserman works with community service kids, one of whom had such a great time, she came back after her community service was complete.

“This one girl said, ‘this is the coolest community service I’ve ever done’ and I’m like, ‘it’s supposed to be a learning lesson, not a thrill,’” Hauserman said, laughing.

For the haunted house, a team of five worked on putting the place together. Unfortunately, at other times, Hauserman could use more help.

“That’s been my hardest challenge, to get people to volunteer their time,” Hauserman said. “People like to come to help, but getting people to help has been very difficult.

“If I could get more people that were willing to say ‘In what way can I help?’ that would be greatly appreciated,” Hauserman added.

For three nights, though, Hauserman had a chilling, blood-curdling entourage helping her scare the daylights out of neighborhood kids and parents. The haunted house was an opportunity to take a break from their busy lives, if only for a few minutes.

“It takes their mind off their everyday life; the thrill of the scare,” Hauserman said.

And because of Hauserman’s tireless effort, come Christmas, kids in Polson are shrieking… with delight.

Hauserman can be reached at (406) 883-1664 if you'd like to volunteer or donate to the cause.