Pumpkin pals

Visitors to the Pumpkin House in Kenova, W.Va. were serenaded by a pumpkin orchestra and met with the scent of funnel cakes and hot chocolate last weekend.

Thousands of carved pumpkins were not the only tradition at the house; many volunteers came to raise money for charities as well.

This is something owner and Pumpkin House mastermind Ric Griffith has allowed for several years.

“We’ve been here for about four years,” said Tom Baisden, Wayne County Habitat for Humanity volunteer. “All of the proceeds go toward building our next house in North Wayne Estates.”

Baisden said he likes coming to the Pumpkin House because of the atmosphere and the people. He said people are always willing to buy items to help the charity.

Griffith does not charge vendors for their place at the house, so all funds can go back to the respective charities.

“This is our first year,” said Martha Gillum, member of Ashland Animal Rescue Fund. “My son-in-law is working on his pharmacy degree and did an internship at Griffith and Feil, and he mentioned AARF to Mr. Griffith. When he was getting ready with the Pumpkin House, he offered us a spot here since we’re nonprofit.”

Gillum said the weekend brought in about $2,000 for Ashland Animal Rescue Fund and she expects more to come.

“It’s tiring, but the people around this area are very nice, very friendly and you can tell they enjoy coming to see all the pumpkins,” Gillum said. “You just sort of feel in a festive mood among them.” 

Ashland Animal Rescue Fund is an organization that takes animals, which are about to be put down, out of kill shelters. The funds they are raising will go toward veterinary costs.

“We’ve saved over 300 animals in less than a year, and it’s very expensive,” Gillum said.“We do different activities like this, different events and all of the money goes to help save the animals.”

The Pumpkin House attracted hundreds of guests to the Halloween tradition.

Griffith has been cleaning and carving pumpkins for several weeks. This tradition has taken place for more than 30 years, and this year the pumpkin count reached an estimated 3,000.

It will continue to be lit from dusk till dawn until the pumpkins are no longer standing, Griffith said.

Kristen footo can be contacted at footo@marshall.edu

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