VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — What started as one father’s effort to create magical Halloween memories for his children has transformed into a beloved neighborhood tradition that now raises money for families battling pediatric heart disease.
Jason Hayes never expected his backyard pirate ship to become a community landmark. The elaborate Halloween display on Morgan Mill Way draws hundreds of visitors each year, but its true purpose runs much deeper than seasonal decoration.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been into pirate toys, the movie Goonies, and stuff like that,” Hayes said. “So I was trying to give my kids a little adventure — but the neighbors really got into it, and the kids in the neighborhood, I mean, they look forward to it.”…