Creepin’ for Critters, the Berks Halloween outdoor decorating tour, is back for a second year with even more homes on the route raising funds and collecting supplies for the Animal Rescue League of Berks County.
This year there are 16 spots on the tour map, which can be accessed at www.frightmaps.com. Each site has a sign with a QR code visitors can scan to make a donation to the ARL from their phones. Or, supplies from the ARL’s online wish list, berksarl.org/wishlist/, can be dropped off. The list includes canned kitten, cat and dog food, soft dog treats such as Beggin’ Strips, Pup-Peroni, Bil-Jac, Zukes, spray cheese, pellet cat litter, cat toys and durable dog toys.
Creepin’ for Critters was started by Daron and David O’Donald II of Exeter Township and featured 12 homes in 2025. The O’Donalds were inspired to turn their love of the Halloween season into a fundraiser and collection for the ARL by their dog Willow, who was adopted from the shelter.
“In its inaugural season, Creepin’ for Critters raised nearly $2,000 in monetary donations and collected an entire truckload of much-needed supplies for the ARL, thanks to the generosity of local families, neighbors and Halloween enthusiasts,” a statement from the organizers said.
For anyone who visited last year, be ready for new additions this time.
“We have added several new giants, a moving spider and several professional-level static props,” David O’Donald said. “We also redo the layout every year, so it’s always a little bit different.”
Zombies romp at David and Daron O’Donald’s home in the 1000 block of Hartman Road in Exeter Township that are part of the Creepin’ For Critters tour to benefit the Animal Rescue League. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
David and Daron O’Donald sit among their Halloween decorations at their home in the 1000 block of Hartman Road in Exeter Township that are part of the Creepin’ For Critters tour to benefit the Animal Rescue League. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Part of the Halloween decorations at the home of David and Daron O’Donald in the 1000 block of Hartman Road in Exeter Township are part of the Creepin’ For Critters tour to benefit the Animal Rescue League. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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Zombies romp at David and Daron O’Donald’s home in the 1000 block of Hartman Road in Exeter Township that are part of the Creepin’ For Critters tour to benefit the Animal Rescue League. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
He said his favorite new addition is a zombie being electrocuted.
“That’s something we don’t put out every night, it’s a professional-level prop,” David said. “It’s all latex and the sun destroys it.”
Daron’s new favorite is a 15-foot-tall worry crow.
“It kind of looks like a scarecrow, but has a crow’s head,” David explained.
The O’Donalds have added more fog machines and additional lighting to enhance the creepiness.
Their 7-year-old son, David III, is back as the lead tour guide and is joined by his younger sister, Marietta, 4, and several other neighborhood children who lead visitors along the haunting pathway.
Steve and Cindy Shingle’s home at 178 Mountain Blvd., Wernersville, is a popular destination on the Creepin’ for Critters tour. (BILL UHRICH/READINGEAGLE)
Steve and Cindy Shingle’s home at 178 Mountain Blvd., Wernersville, is a popular destination on the Creepin’ for Critters tour. (BILL UHRICH/READINGEAGLE)
Steve and Cindy Shingle’s home at 178 Mountain Blvd., Wernersville, is a popular destination on the Creepin’ for Critters tour. (BILL UHRICH/READINGEAGLE)
Steve and Cindy Shingle’s home at 178 Mountain Blvd., Wernersville, is a popular destination on the Creepin’ for Critters tour. (BILL UHRICH/READINGEAGLE)
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Steve and Cindy Shingle’s home at 178 Mountain Blvd., Wernersville, is a popular destination on the Creepin’ for Critters tour. (BILL UHRICH/READINGEAGLE)
Cindy and Steve Shingle’s Mountain Boulevard home in Wernersville is on the tour once again.
Of course, they’ve added some things since last year: a talking parrot, a big spider, pumpkin and cat archways. And Steve has crafted some props.
“We always thought it was a fun holiday,” Cindy Shingle said. “The decorations are just fun. It’s different than Christmas. There’s definitely more you can do. It’s just a wider range of things you can put out.
“We were always talking about doing something for a charity to raise money and then I saw the post on Facebook about Creepin’ for Critters, I thought oh my gosh this is perfect. It’s something we can just join and we don’t have to lead it ourselves, we really don’t have time. We can just help the animals and that’s what it is all about.”
They get a steady stream of visitors from the neighborhood and beyond.
“We have people that drive by all day long, all night long,” she said. “We have people that stop in their cars. We prefer people to stay on the sidewalks.
“We have regular families from our neighborhood who come every single night, which is really neat to see. When the lights go on Oct. 1, the families come every single night to the house. It’s a real community. It’s nice to see that parents do that with their kids.”
The O’Donalds said their yard has become a hangout for kids each night.
“We probably see 10 to 15 kids that spend their evening here,” David said.
“From when school lets out until it gets dark,” Daron added.
This year, David O’Donald said they hope to raise $2,500 and collect even more supplies for the ARL.