VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Every Halloween, Donald Totty transforms his Kempsville yard into a terrifying haunted experience. In recent years, he's used it to raise thousands for a local nonprofit.
Totty's "House of Torment" features an eye-catching front yard display, but the real attraction is the twisted trek visitors take through his backyard — featuring actors in costumes, chainsaws, dismembered limbs and plenty of jumpscares.
Totty, who recently retired as a Master Deputy with the Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office, says his love for creating his own haunted experiences started at a young age.
"My dad was in the Navy so I started doing it on the naval base," he told News 3. "Then, as an adult, when I would buy my homes, I would do it in my backyard and it's been a big following."
The haunt is open on select dates, with Totty's wife, Kayla, helping direct visitors looking for a scare.
"I was shocked," Kayla said of when she learned about her husband's hobby. "I didn't quite understand exactly what all of this was in his brain, but it's fun."
It's fun...and free! The Tottys don't charge a thing to get in, but they do collect donations from those willing to give.
A few years ago, Kayla, who works for the City of Virginia Beach, connected her husband with Joy Rios, the founder of Connect With a Wish. The Virginia Beach-based nonprofit supports local foster youth, young adults coming out of the system and foster families.
"It just breaks my heart for these kids, what they have to go through because, as a deputy, I used to see it all the time," said Totty.
He tells News 3 that it was a no-brainer to partner with Connect With a Wish, which was excited to get the support.
Last year, when they came to bring the donation, which was how much? $2,600," said Rios. "And, people don't have to pay anything, so we were all blown away in the office."
Rios says it's definitely a unique way her organization has been able to fundraise.
"And I have nothing to do with it. I just get to come here and see how much fun it is," she said.
Rios stood by Totty's side as he accepted this week's News 3 Everyday Hero award, including a $300 Visa gift card from our partner Southern Bank. A group of scarily-dressed ghouls and goblins broke out into applause.
"Without these actors right here, this haunted house would never, ever happen," said an emotional Totty.
If you would like to visit the House of Torment, you can do so on Thursday, October 30 and Halloween night on Friday. It's located at 276 Hill Prince Road in the Kempsville neighborhood in Virginia Beach and opens at 7 p.m.
Donations for Connect With a Wish are not required, but are appreciated.
