PROSPERITY — Wightman United Methodist Church is getting into the fall spirit as their annual pumpkin patch sale is in full swing.

“All proceeds raised from the pumpkin patch go toward youth missions for the youth of our church, and the Prosperity area. We have a lot of kids come to our youth group, but don’t necessarily go to Wightman,” said Madison Butler, youth leader and coordinator of the pumpkin patch.

Proceeds raised will help send youth to two different missions camps: Salkehatchie and The Week of Hope mission trips.

With the help of around 50 volunteers, over 1,400 pumpkins were distributed in front of Wightman UMC — as of Oct. 3 Butler said they have gone past $1,000 in money raised.

“Our goal every year is to sell at least $9,000. The percent we get to keep for our youth group is based off how much we sell, so $9,000 is always our goal. This year I would love to see us surpass that and maybe even sell past $10,000,” she said.

Butler added they will possibly look into getting another shipment within the next two weeks, since the heat has made some of the pumpkins lose their color.

One of Butler’s favorite things about the pumpkin patch is seeing the community come together along with meeting and talking with people who stop by.

“It’s seeing the church and community come together to make it a success. A lot of the stuff you see out there has been donated by businesses in the area — the palettes, the different wood for the projects that are out there, some local metal working shops made the signs out there. It’s a collaboration of all ages from the church coming together to unload the pumpkins — different members from the church sign up on a schedule to work the pumpkin patch. It’s an amazing collaboration to see all ages and people from inside the church and outside the church come together to make this fundraiser a huge success so we’re able to use that money to do great things with our teenagers,” she said.

Butler’s husband, Chris, also pumpkin patch coordinator, sees the pumpkin patch as an opportunity for youth to break out of their shells.

“One of my favorite things about it is that it gives an opportunity for not only youth in Prosperity, but kids from Newberry and Chapin to kind of get out of their comfort zone and spend time with people they normally wouldn’t spend time with — walk a family of kids around or helping older people load a pumpkin in their car,” he said.

Looking toward the future, Butler said she and her husband want to add more family activities to the pumpkin patch.

“We also do a Trunk or Treat at the pumpkin patch on Halloween night — that helps bring a lot of people out. We usually discount pumpkins that night — we are looking to hopefully do a couple of Family Fun Nights, a s’mores pit and hot chocolate — I’d love to see it become a more family-oriented environment on the weekends,” she said.

The pumpkin patch is open Monday-Friday 1-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Families can come out to the pumpkin patch at Wightman UMC and take pictures on displays set up around the pumpkins. Pictured, l-r: Amie Wicker and Carsyn Hydrick pose with their pumpkins.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Patch1.jpgFamilies can come out to the pumpkin patch at Wightman UMC and take pictures on displays set up around the pumpkins. Pictured, l-r: Amie Wicker and Carsyn Hydrick pose with their pumpkins. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

The community can grab pumpkins of all shapes and sizes at Wightman UMC. Pictured, l-r: Phylicia Deleski, Elijah Abrams, Olivia Abrams, Carsyn Hydrick, Jarin Roudybush, Madison Butler, Chris Butler, Amie Wicker and Camryn Butler.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_Patch2.jpgThe community can grab pumpkins of all shapes and sizes at Wightman UMC. Pictured, l-r: Phylicia Deleski, Elijah Abrams, Olivia Abrams, Carsyn Hydrick, Jarin Roudybush, Madison Butler, Chris Butler, Amie Wicker and Camryn Butler. Kelly Duncan | The Newberry Observer

By Kelly Duncan

kduncan@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3123 ext. 1868 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.