Church groups get cash in patch
The men at Marvin United Methodist Church have found a new way to raise money - pumpkins.
"It's one of our projects we decided to do to raise funds for some of our missions and community projects," said church member Ed Boothe, of Evans.
On Oct. 15, the men's group will begin selling more than 800 pumpkins at the church's first Corner Pumpkin Patch sale, which will be held at the church at 4400 Wheeler Road. The sale, which will feature pumpkins in different shapes and sizes, will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until Oct. 30, and from 1-6 p.m. on Halloween.
But it isn't the only pumpkin event being offered in the county.
Wesley United Methodist Church also will offer a pumpkin patch from 9 a.m. until dark Oct. 15-31. The church is in its second year of offering the pumpkins, member Linda Jolley said, adding that the pumpkins usually don't disappear in the first few days.
"Last year, it paced along real well,'' she said, adding that pumpkins were still available a few days before Halloween.
This year, she said she expects the majority of pumpkins will be sold Oct. 23, when the church will hold a yard sale from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and a fall festival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. coinciding with the pumpkin patch. Jolley said the pumpkins at her patch have a purpose because the money raised will go toward a Honduras outreach team.
In the past, Boothe said, his men's group has supported international mission trips to Africa, Mexico and Costa Rica as part of fund-raisers.
He said fund-raisers also help the group raise money for nonprofit organizations and scholarships. Part of Marvin United Methodist's outreach mission is supporting the food bank Columbia County Cares, Inc., which Boothe said was started at Marvin and is now housed on Columbia Road.
"We also support Augusta Urban Ministries and Golden Harvest Food Bank. We (also) provide one or two scholarships (that range) from $500 to $1,000."
Also being offered this month will be a pumpkin patch carnival at South Columbia Elementary School on McCormick Road between Old Evans and Old Petersburg roads from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and a Trunk or Treat and Great Pumpkin Party at First Baptist Church of Evans from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23.
Pumpkin events
South Columbia Elementary's Pumpkin Patch Carnival: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Games, entertainment, a silent auction and car raffle will be offered. For information, call 863-3220.
First Baptist Church of Evans Trunk or Treat and Great Pumpkin Party: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23. For information, call 868-1354.
Wesley United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch: 9 a.m. until dark Oct. 15-31. For information, call 869-0888.
Marvin United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays Oct. 15- 30, and from 1-6 p.m. on Halloween. For more information, 863-0510.