Sept. 28 - Pumpkin Brigade

Day 270 of a year of kindness

I had heard that Peace Dale Congregational Church was getting 5,000 pumpkins delivered today and I thought it would be kind and fun to help them. My cousins Susan Hinckley and Linda Sacramona tagged along, and we helped sort all things pumpkins.At one point I stood in a line - like a pumpkin bucket brigade - and while I was handing pumpkins to the high school student on my left, I spoke to the man on my right. This was his 10th year volunteering. He told me that the pumpkins came from Navajo Nation Reservation in New Mexico. The church gives back 60 percent of their pumpkin proceeds to the Navajo community for its nonprofit work and 40 percent goes to a local homeless shelter the church supports. 

Next weekend they will have a pumpkin palooza and expect to sell all the pumpkins throughout the month.People of all ages and from all over the community came to unload pumpkins. I was reminded, once again, that you meet the nicest and kindest people when you get outside and lend a hand.

Science of Kindness: Research shows that physical acts of kindness (like unloading pumpkins) trigger oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” which reduces anxiety and stress, and contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. It also creates a ripple effect of kindness. #bekind #kindnessmatters #KindnessCounts #KindnessCounts2025 #pumpkinpatch #pumpkinpalooza