Annual fundraiser begins September 22, 2024
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR –On September 21, 2024, the pumpkins are once again returning to North Little Rock First United Methodist Church.
The long-running annual tradition begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, when thousands of pounds of pumpkins arrive at the church to be unloaded by dozens of church volunteers on the eve of a 40-day fundraiser to benefit NLRFUMC youth programs.
Pumpkins will go on sale the following day, Sept. 22, at noon at the opening event and orange ribbon. The pumpkins will be available for purchase through Oct. 31 on the church grounds near the fellowship hall entrance. In the past, our fundraiser was held in the front of our church facing John F. Kennedy Blvd, but was moved last year due to safety and parking concerns for our Children’s Enrichment Center families. The back lawn allows us to provide more parking and a larger area for the pumpkin patch with the opportunity to host events within the patch.
The yearly pumpkin patch dates to 1994 and has drawn big crowds each year of the sale. This year we will be adding a new structure to our pumpkin patch to celebrate our 30th patch anniversary; a custom built church façade that will act as shelving for pumpkins, as well as a decorative feature for any events held in the patch. Once again, the patch will be available to rent for special events, i.e. birthday parties, etc.
Additionally, we are adding new patch events to include a football tailgating and watch party at 11 a.m. on Oct. 26 for the Razorback football game and our annual Blessing of the Pets will take place in the patch at 3 p.m. on Oct. 27!
“Fall is a great time of year to notice the beauty of God’s creation and we are excited to share in spreading the joy throughout our community with our pumpkin patch as we celebrate three decades of this ministry. Last year we place third in a nationwide pumpkin patch contest and this year, we’re adding some more fun, more events, and more décor to make it an even more inviting and exuberant! ” – Rev. Sara Bayles Charlton, Senior Pastor
Proceeds from the pumpkin patch support the youth ministry at the church, which includes 6th-12th graders from North Little Rock, Little Rock, Sherwood and the surrounding area.
“We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year with the pumpkin patch! We are so grateful for how our community has embraced this fundraiser, which helps fund our annual youth summer mission trip. This past summer we were able to spend a week in Galveston, TX, feeding the homeless, replanting the wetlands, gardening at an urban farm and so much more!” – Pastor Kathy Butler, Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor of Worship Arts and Innovation
Money from the sale helps fund the summer mission trips for the youth program.
ABOUT NLRFUMC
North Little Rock First United Methodist Church, at 6701 JFK Blvd. in North Little Rock, has welcomed people of the central Arkansas community since 1877. A two-story classroom and daycare building that holds the Children’s Enrichment Center was built in 1994. We have more than 1,000 members on our roster and welcome all visitors.