‘Sir Bones’ in Rockwell front yard a St. Jude Children’s RH fundraiser
The automated skeleton is at home in the Rockwell Farms yard of Chad and Barbara Pyle, who tried for some time to purchase the enormous and nationally-desired decoration.
“It took us three years to finally get one,” said Barbara, who noted the skeleton was purchased from Home Depot.
Before they even were able to buy “Skelly,” as he is known to other owners, Barbara found out about a national fund-raiser, “Skeletons for St. Jude.”
Organized by Skeletons for Hope (found at skeletonsforhope.org), the organization has raised nearly $61,000 this year in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (goal of $100,000).
“All money donated goes straight to St. Jude,” explained Barbara, pointing out her sign, donated locally by FastSigns, has a QR code donors can scan with their smartphones at 420 Rockwell Farm Lane.
“We are hoping to raise at least $1,000,” she added.
The family, which includes sons, Aidan, Christopher, William and Hudson, is well-known for decorating their home and yard for holidays and other occasions.
The family won the Town’s Fourth of July decoration contest earlier this year, and also lit their home with blue and yellow lights when Russia invaded Ukraine as a show of solidarity.
But Halloween is Chad’s favorite holiday, and he is the driving force behind the family’s myriad of decorations.
“We will have a graveyard, fog machine, a 9- to 10-foot tall Grim Reaper and an 8-foot tall Angel of Death,” Barbara said, noting they won their neighborhood’s Halloween decoration contest last year, but removed themselves from the running this year.
“We are just asking for donations instead,” she said.
Sir Bones will be up at least through the end of the month.
“I wish we could keep him up all year, but I’m not sure the Home Owners Association would approve that,”
