Portsmouth, Va. - Halloween is just days away, and if you're looking for a good scare and want to take action for a great cause, then you should head to the Cradock section of Portsmouth. This is all possible thanks to one very busy sailor.
There's a haunted house and hayride, plus a frightening walk through the woods all at the Cradock Little League Baseball Fields near 1700 Victory Boulevard. The cost is five dollars and the proceeds from this scare fest benefit the Cradock Little League. The key organizer is also one of the coaches, Petty Officer First Class Joshua Roberson.
This is the fourth year Roberson has done this; It takes countless man hours to pull it off. He says he does it to keep the lights on the ball field, to pay for field maintenance and to buy equipment for the sports program.
He thought we had shown up just to do a story on his haunted house; then I let him know, we got this email from Frank Thomson.
"I am nominating him because as president of the local Little League, I have witnessed his selfless drive to help others firsthand."
Jonathan Richards' 9-year-old daughter plays on the fields and is very appreciative, "Having Josh come and spend all his time and efforts and you know, he doesn't have to and he does and that's what's really awesome about him."
Thomson also wrote in his email, "Beyond Little League, Mr. Roberson is also very active in the community at-large. He is a volunteer for the Neighborhood Watch and has worked with community leaders in almost every area, from helping at the polling stations to cleaning up after storms."
That is why we presented Joshua with a NewsChannel 3 People Taking Action award and a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
Roberson was very humble in his response.
"This isn't one single person; I think everyone out here should be recognized the same way. This event would not come together with just one person."
Roberson's scare fest is open this upcoming weekend. It's five dollars and he's asking people to bring a canned good to be donated to a local battered women's shelter.
