As ghosts and goblins prepare for their fast-approaching Halloween celebration, local resident Matthew Duddeck is battling them in the Face of Halloween competition.
Face of Halloween, a contest organized by Colossal.org is a nationwide campaign that raises funds and awareness for Starlight Children’s Foundation. The foundation was founded in 1982, and aims to deliver happiness to seriously ill children and their families through toy deliveries, fun hospital wear and much more.
As a top competitor in this year’s 2025 Face of Halloween competition, Duddeck, who is a truck driver, is very grateful that the proceeds gained by voting on the competitors go directly towards the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Duddeck wearing a homemade mask
The unique needs of children in hospitals are carefully crafted by the Starlight programs to address the challenges these kids face. The foundation’s aims are to bring comfort, provide distractions and a sense of normalcy during the moments when the children may feel overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed.
“As a father myself to two incredible little boys, ages 5 and 2, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how these parents feel, seeing their little ones going through whatever it is they’re going through,” Duddeck said. “The power of miracles is what the Starlight Children’s Foundation brings to the table for these young children and their families. In today’s society, I feel blessed knowing there are such programs available out there.”
Duddeck has been obsessed with scary movies, the horror culture and Halloween since he was a small child. If he becomes the new Face of Halloween Competition winner he wants to use the win to help launch a career in the horror industry.
“I want to make history,” Duddeck said. “I want to leave a legacy behind that my boys will be proud of. This competition is the beginning of the rest of my life. My true happiness is in the horror industry.”
He’s been posting about the competition on Facebook on a daily basis, informing people about the Starlight Children’s Foundation and their goal to support sick children.
He believes that the sense of happiness that Starlight programs deliver empowers kids with a renewed sense of optimism, resilience, and courage. Plus the impact of these programs reaches even further to the families and caregivers, creating a supportive community that nurtures kids, exactly when they need it most.
The Face of Halloween Contest 2025 has become a cultural event for horror enthusiasts and creative minds. Voting takes place on social media sites and began at the end of August. Voting will finish on Oct. 30.
Each of the competitors’ supporters can cast one free vote every 24 hours. Additional votes can be purchased as donations to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. While no purchase is required, contestants who successfully mobilize both free and donation votes tend to advance further.
Contests presented by Colossal.org, including the earlier Face of Horror, have given fans the opportunity to step into the spotlight while raising funds for trusted nonprofits. The Face of Halloween is offering a cash grand prize and a feature in Rue Morgue magazine. The winner will also have the opportunity to meet horror icons, such as Kane Hodder, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Matthew Lillard, who appeared in the movies, ”Friday the 13th,” “Scream,” and “Halloween.”
“There has been a lot of grinding behind the scenes, trying to get my family and friends to vote for me every day,” Duddeck said. “I’ve also joined Face of Halloween Groups on Facebook, and have been posting my story there and in other groups.”
In Duddeck’s free time he loves to write stories. “If I could write more I would, but with all the driving I do for work my time is limited at the moment. For the longest time now, I can remember parts of my dreams and I write them down. I go back to them later and create a story around my dreams.”
Dressed in his Face of Halloween mask and costume he is posting live feeds on Facebook and his YouTube channel.
“The mask I wear, I’ve modified to make it look better,” Duddeck said. I’ve also been creating my own items for the live feed, in which I’m currently making a crown out of body parts that shall be placed on my head once I’m announced the winner.”