Oceanside’s “Scariest House” Turns Frights Into Hope

On a quiet Oceanside block, one Halloween display stops everyone in their tracks—and this year, it’s doing more than delivering jump scares. Homeowners Jessica Wertling and Josh Strauss have transformed their yard into a full-on fright zone, then added a heartfelt twist: a call for living kidney donors to help Jessica’s dad, Todd, who’s battling end-stage renal disease.

What started as a labor of love for spooky season has become a community megaphone. Visitors come for the clowns, skeletons, and creeping creatures—and leave with information on how living donation works and where to start if they want to be tested as a match. Neighbors have been snapping photos, sharing the story, and asking how they can pitch in.

Visit & Support

• When: Nightly 5–10 p.m. through Halloween (with extended, all-day fun on Oct. 31 for trick-or-treaters)

• What to expect: A walk-through yard haunt packed with effects, characters, and surprises—plus a simple, clear way to learn about becoming a donor

How to Help

• Consider completing a brief living donor screening questionnaire through the family’s transplant center.

• Share the family’s story on social to broaden the search.

• If donation isn’t possible for you, forwarding the info could still connect Todd with his match.

The “scariest house” might give you goosebumps—but the biggest chills come from seeing a neighborhood rally around one family’s fight. This Halloween, the real treat is hope.