One of the best scares in Ames this Halloween season was also one of the most charitable.

Lambda Chi Alpha, 203 Ash Ave., sponsors “Gorevile Manor” each year.

The event is “one of the biggest haunted houses nationally” and the largest greek philanthropy at Iowa State, said Brett Loyd, Gorevile publicity coordinator and sophomore in sociology.

The count was not quite finished Sunday afternoon, but members of Lamda Chi were confident they reached their fundraising goal of more than $10,000.

Each year, proceeds from Gorevile go to Childserv, a children’s convalescent home in Johnston. Childserv, 5900 Pioneer Pkwy, serves 100 families.

“[Since 1989,] Lambda Chi has generated $46,259, which is tremendous,” said Cheri Burns, director of development for Childserv.

Burns said the men of Lamda Chi give more than financial gifts to Childserv.

“They are dedicated and consistently committed. The kids love them and we are fond of them too,” she said.

The Lambda Chi Alpha house sets up five skit rooms when Halloween rolls around each year.

In past years, rooms have been transformed into meat lockers, laboratories and electrocution labs, said Nate Frandsen, philanthropy and public relations chairman.

A medieval castle facade, public hangings on the front lawn and a maze complete the display, he said.

Despite busy schedules, the men of Lambda Chi juggled classes and work with the time it took to design and build Gorevile Manor with help from member of Chi Omega Sorority, 227 Gray Ave.

“Everyone ends up doing their part,” said Frandsen, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication and sports reporter for the Iowa State Daily.

Loyd said 20 people worked 100’s of hours to complete the project.

The group used discarded fraternity and sorority lawn display materials from Homecoming to keep costs down.

This year, Lamda Chi’s goal was to raise $10,600 to replace wheelchairs for four children who have outgrown old ones. To help reach this goal, Gorevile Manor was open an extra night, Frandsen said.

Two years ago $10,000 was raised through ticket sales and other contributions.

Lamda Chi’s goal for buying four new wheelchairs is an “example of their commitment,” Burns said.

“When you think about kids in college, you think they are there to study and party,” she said. “[Lambda Chi] proves the college student stereotype is inaccurate.”