The pumpkins are here!

By Eloria Newell James, community@leadercall.com

October 09, 2008 11:46 am

— First United Methodist Church of Laurel will officially open The Great Pumpkin Patch of FUMC today.
Members and volunteers worked Wednesday to unload an 18-wheeler truck carrying hundreds of pumpkins and Fall products in preparation for the event.
Stacey Byrd, director of children ministry at FUMC, said the church’s front lawn at 420 North 5th Avenue is being transformed into a pumpkin patch for all to see.
Byrd said the event, which is designed as a fundraiser and community outreach project, will be conducted for the next 10 days.
She said more than 850 pumpkins are being arranged on the church’s front lawn located at the corner of Sawmill Road and 5th Avenue.
Byrd said the event officially begins at 10 a.m. today and will run about 10 days.
“We ordered 860 big pumpkins and thousands of small pumpkins. We have Indian corn and a variety of gourds,” she said. “We have a new squash gourd for all to see this year.”
Byrd said the event is designed to be an outreach for the community.
“We invite all to come and get in the Fall spirit and fellowship with others,” she said. “It’s a fun time for people to come out and see the pumpkins. The children also learn about pumpkins and can take photos in the pumpkin patch.”
Others agree.
“The community comes together for a good cause,” FUMC’s John Davis said. “It’s a wonderful project.”
Kajsa Gedlitschka, an eight-year-old FUMC member, was among numerous children taking part in the project.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s fun.”
Judy Thoms and Jennifer Rogers agreed.
“It’s just a fun activity,” Thoms said. “The whole community enjoys it.”
Organizers said admission to the event is free of charge.
“Anybody can walk up and visit with us,” she said. “It’s free admissions. Also, anyone who wants to buy a pumpkin can do so. They cost anywhere from 50 cents and up.”
Rogers said the most important part of the project is the community.
“It brings the community together,” Rogers said. “It’s a project that all ages can participate in. ... We look forward to it each year.”
Byrd said the event is sponsored by the church’s children’s ministry.
“It's a fundraiser and a community outreach project for us,” she explained. “This year we are raising money for the church’s children’s ministry and the Heifer Project.”
The Heifer Project is a part of Heifer International, which is a non-profit organization designed to help end world hunger.
Heifer’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Heifer does this by providing appropriate livestock, training and related services to small-scale farmers and communities worldwide.
According to the organization’s website, Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through livestock, training and “passing on the gift.”
By providing animals and training, Heifer enables families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life.
Also as a part of the local group’s Pumpkin Patch, Byrd said, bake sales will also be conducted.
The pumpkin patch will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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