As a little kid Nick Francis, a 2010 Toledo Technology Academy graduate, had a special passion for Halloween. His decorations and parties were frightful.
Banking on an entrepreneurial hunch that others adore the spooky time of the year, Nick formed his own business, International Halloween Productions LLC, and created the most fearful commercial haunted house around.
The Ohio State University freshmen and recipient of three Foundation scholarships crafts new thrills and chills each summer for his 40 seasonal employees to scare the wits out of thousands of people each Halloween. But he wanted to give more than just screams to the community.
While in high school Nick participated in Youth Leadership Toledo and Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence, a program supported by the Toledo Community Foundation that teaches teens the importance of charitable giving.
The Eagle Scout applied his charitable knowledge to his haunted house venture, and so far the business has donated $11,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Through his philanthropy, children get their special wishes, as Nick operates a spine-tingling venture.