HAMMOND — The Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA scared the community this fall for a cause.

The local KOA’s annual Haunted House — open the last three weeks in October — raised more food and funds than past years for the Clatsop County Action Regional Food Bank and the KOA Care Camps, summer camps designed for children battling cancer.

Assistant manager Kym Baird said the final tally from the Haunted House revealed a total of $1,828.93 for the care camps and 2,976 pounds of food for the food bank.

Admission into the Haunted House was $2 per person or two nonperishable food items.

“Everything we collect is for charity,” Baird said.

Last year, KOA raised $1,236.41 for the care camps and 1,733 pounds of food.

The haunted house this year was themed as a haunted cruise ship, the SS Soul Collector. It was built and operated completely by 19 volunteers, mostly KOA staff, family and campers.

“The majority of our volunteers are KOA past and present employees,” Baird said. “We even had a few campers that threw their hats in and helped out during construction.”

The haunted cruise ship had 12 decorated rooms, including a haunted captain’s chambers, boiler room, operating room and chapel. Four emergency exits were available for participants.

“Everyone has a different scare factors,” Baird said.

Each year, KOA collects funds from its Haunted House and a large fundraiser over Mother’s Day weekend in May for the KOA Care Camps, entering its 12th year in 2015.

Nationwide, 56 KOA Care Camps are set up with specialized, medically equipped facilities to offer a true summer camp experience to children undergoing treatment or recovering from cancer, Baird said.

Three KOA Care Camps are offered in Oregon, two at Camp Millenium in Roseburg and one at Camp Ukandu in Portland.

The KOA Care Camps Trust distributes $500,000 annually to the camps.

The Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA was recognized last year in the KOA’s elite category for donating between $5,001 to $10,000 toward the KOA Care Camps.

Categories reach diamond level (donating more than $25,000), which only three KOAs achieved last year.

Earlier this month, the local KOA earned additional honors. It received both the KOA Presidential and Founder’s Awards for 2014.

According to the KOA organization:

• The Founder’s Award is KOA’s highest service award, presented to KOA owners that achieve world class service scores from their camping guests.

• The President’s Award is awarded to KOAs that meet exceptional quality standards and are recognized by their guests for outstanding service.

As the holiday season approaches, the local KOA is planning another way to invite the public to the campground and raise funds for the KOA Care Camps.

For the first time, KOA will host a Holiday Bazaar in its activities building, the Big Foot Building, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6.

KOA staff member Julie Rossino created the idea for the Holiday Bazaar.

“I’m a crafter and have been forever,” Rossino said. “I thought why can’t we generate some business in the wintertime and give locals an opportunity.”

Crafters and vendors can rent 10-by-10-foot booths for $30 for both days of the Holiday Bazaar. In addition, cabin and RV spaces will be a special rate and include the booth space.

Already, Rossino said, 12 vendors have signed up for the bazaar. KOA is hoping to have at least 30 for the first year.

During the bazaar, the KOA will sell food and drinks. A silent auction will benefit the KOA Care Camps.

Visitors will be able to meet and take photographs with Santa.

For more information or to reserve as booth, contact Rossino at judyrossino@gmail.com.

In the spring, the KOA will host another community event — the second annual Color the Coast 5K color run and walkathon in support of the Autism Society of Oregon.

The color run, an event where runners are showered with colored powder along the run, is April 11.

Baird said she was contacted by the Autism Society of Oregon last year about hosting a 5K run.

The KOA donated the color, offered free camping to runners and ultimately raised about $9,000.

“I saw a KOA in California do a color run and I said ‘why not turn a walkathon into a color run,’” Baird said.

Between the community events, the KOA is busy making improvements to its 100-acre campground off Northwest Ridge Road.

Plans for next year include building an outdoor swimming pool, building a new outdoor fun zone, remodeling Iredale’s Pancake House and adding more activities.

“We are all about fun,” Baird said. “We are all about giving back to the community.”

If you go

What: Holiday Bazaar

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6

Where: KOA Big Foot Building, 1100 Northwest Ridge Road, Warrenton