SAUGUS—For 15 years the First Congregational Church at 300 Central St. has become the home of hundred of Navajo pumpkins for sale, making it the hub of a fall tradition for many families.
Families gather to take photos and pick out pumpkins of all different shapes and sizes to purchase and bring home.
“It has become important for community building,” Reverend Martha Leahy said. “It brings us together creating a good connection.”
Saturday, the church received it second truckload of pumpkins, coming all the way from the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico.
“Saugus has a deep Native American history. This is something that helps keep that connection,” Leahy said.
The truck, containing more than 1,200 pumpkins for the church, is no easy task to unload. Church and local community members are asked to help. Dozens of people answered the call Saturday, loading wheelbarrows and passing pumpkins down the line to be placed on pallets on the church’s front lawn.
Among those helping was church member Rod Wiley and members of his family, including his children and grandchildren.
“We try to come out here and help every year we can,” he said. “And plus, it’s a lot of fun.”
A forklift donated for the day morning by Agganis Construction also assisted the volunteers. They were rewarded with coffee and donuts courtesy of Del Correria from Dunkin’ Donuts on Route One and Essex street.
Church secretary Carolyn Davis has helped organize the pumpkin sales for years and could be found counting the number of pumpkins volunteers passed off the truck with a pitch counter.
“This is partly a community thank you,” she said, “it’s a great way to give back.”
