"THE PUMPKIN PATCH"

The Navajo Indians of the Four Corners area of New Mexico raise pumpkins and deliver them to churches across the country for fund-raising projects. Peggy Raish read about their work and contacted the Navajos for the youth group at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

The Navajo truck unloaded our first 1000 pumpkins in October of 1994. During this fall season every year, the grounds of Holy Trinity are absolutely covered in pumpkins in a wide range of sizes, and are viewed expectantly by members of the community and passersby. The "Pumpkin Patch" has been sponsored by the youth group from the beginning. They fund Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas gifts for the needy, aid to the Women's Shelter, and various youth group activities. In addition to the sale of pumpkin, pumpkin bread baked by parishioners has been a money maker as well.

Through the years many activities have been added to the pumpkin sale, such as face painting, photos with pumpkins and scarecrows, trailer and wheelbarrow rides, bean bag toss games, and storytime for the children.

The Kindergartens, day care centers, and Head Start programs in the area are invited to bring their classes to a story time. Frances Wynn and helpers dress in costume to greet the groups. They read stories, sing songs, play games and lead the children through the "Pumpkin Patch". Over 1000 children attended the sessions in 1999.

This project could not have been a success without the help of most of our Holy Trinity church family. The whole community of Sulphur and surrounding areas look forward to our annual event. We have been referred to as the "Pumpkin Patch Church".