'Christmas Town' On LI Benefits Kids In Need During Pandemic

MASTIC BEACH, NY — A Mastic man who gives the community a hauntingly good time each Halloween is also sharing Christmas magic.

Sean Henderson, of Mastic, is presenting Christmas Town, located at 175 Oak Ave. in Shirley, on Dec. 18, 19 and 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to the outdoor walk is $5; kids under 3 are free.

Henderson, known in the community for his Haunted Spook Walk — with proceeds donated to help local residents in need — has seen his mission grow, first with a more expansive Halloween Town and now, with Christmas Town, "bigger and better than ever" this year, he said.

This year's event features more than 100 inflatables, a Candy Cane Lane with more than 300 illuminated candy canes, a Santa Castle, a "Grinch", an elf, photos with Santa and more. This year, the event will feature a holiday market with local vendors — and a "Stuff Santa's Sled" event will take place, too.

"Christmas Town is designed to spread some Christmas cheer all while supporting a great cause," Henderson said.

Last year Henderson's "Holiday Productions' adopted 750 kids. "This year, we hope to pass 1,000," he said.

Christmas Town, Henderson said, will help raise funds for kids year-round in nearby communities. Recently, he also participated in a fundraiser to benefit the family of Joseph Rera, 16, who went missing after fishing on a jetty at Cupsogue Beach County Park; his body was later found.

Henderson was motivated to begin raising funds for young people after his son's uncle died before his 18th birthday years ago. "I know what it is, to lose someone close," he said. "When it's a kid, 15, 16 years old, it's a different way of hitting home."

Of Christmas Town, he said, "It just makes you feel good."

Henderson, whose son Gavin is 20 and studying to be an attorney, said the event is a longtime tradition not just between the pair but also for the many children who attend, wide-eyed. "The reward is seeing happy kids," he said. "Knowing you are helping kids you may never meet or see, but knowing that you are doing something good, it's the Christmas spirit."

This year's event was orchestrated with an eye toward coronavirus social distancing protocols, Henderson said; there will be no actors other than an "elf" and "Santa," and all employees will be tested before the event. Masks are required.

During the pandemic, it's important to instill the magic of the season, Henderson said. "Kids have nothing to do. It's just crazy," he said. "They need to get out of the house and have fun. They need to know there is still hope out there."

As for Henderson, he's still getting calls to help families in need — and he loves giving back, something he's passed on to his own. "There's nothing better than a happy kid on Christmas," Henderson said. "I was one of those kids that went under the tree and found nothing there. I don't want kids to ever have to go through that because I know how it felt."

Henderson has told Patch that he began creating the Haunted Spook Walk at his house when he was 14.

In past years, proceeds have been donated to the Friends of Shirley and the Mastics Food Pantry.

Henderson, heartbroken when he heard about Andrew McMorris, 12, who died tragically after he and members of his Boy Scout troop were struck by a drunk driver while out on a hike, also donated proceeds one year to Andrew's Boy Scout Troop 161 and to the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp, he said.

Henderson's friend Nicole Hickey spoke about his acts of kindness. "He runs food pantries, adopts multiple kids at Christmas — he's just overall very involved in our community," she said.

For additional information about Christmas Town, click here.