The huge 18-wheeler sighed to a stop on the grass in front of Mandarin United Methodist Church, as almost 100 people waited to unload its cargo.
The first job early Sept. 26 was to get the gourds and baby pumpkins out first. Then came the hard part: more than 2,000 big orange globes, moved hand to hand down two rows as the church prepared for the first day of its 21st annual Pumpkin Patch.
"Remember, don't pick them up by the stems," cautioned Angie Engelthaler, one of the patch's coordinators. "We will need a few heavy-duty, muscle-bound people at the very end and at the very front of the truck. And we will have a section for enormous pumpkins."
Among those in line to move the pumpkins was the new pastor, the Rev. Debbie McLeod, outfitted with leather work gloves.
"Our people really turn out to volunteer, to help our youth and serve our community. I am just really excited about the participation," she said. "I just want to encourage everybody, and I am ready to help."
The patch is laid out in front of the church at 11270 San Jose Blvd., with fall decorations tied to fences and poles that surround pallet after pallet covered in pumpkins, with tables of decorative gourds, hay and other fall items nearby.
The pumpkins came from New Mexico, about 2,000 per truck, and as soon as the truck pulled in, volunteers cheered, then jumped on board to grab boxes of gourds. Those were followed by hundreds of small pumpkins, tossed to those waiting to park them in sideline displays.
Then some walked deeper into the truck to begin passing bigger pumpkins down to a bucket brigade-like line that passed them to be put on empty pallets.
"It's not heavy," said one girl in line.
"Just don't throw them," said the pumpkin passer next to her.
Money earned through sales helps the church's Youth Mission Project and its teen members who volunteer there. Students work to unload then sell the pumpkins to raise funds for their activities.
"It is hard work. But it is more fun than hard work," Engelthaler said. "The kids do it to help with different ministries and mission trips. There is a purpose behind it, but the biggest reason is to reach out to the community."
Lots of people were reaching out - to move the merchandise.
"I want to help out the church," said Arianna Achenbach, 13, as pumpkins came and went. "It's tough, with heavy pumpkins."
"I enjoy helping with the youth program," added Collin Schmidt, at the end of one line. "This is my second year. It's either go to the gym or do this."
The patch sells as many as 22,000 pumpkins and gourds each year, raising up to $30,000 for church and youth group programs. More pumpkins are trucked in each week, with shipments expected today, as well as Saturday, Oct. 10; Thursday, Oct. 15; and Saturday Oct. 24. The patch also offers preschooler tours.
from jacksonville.com
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