This past weekend, Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church kicked off its 12th year Pumpkin Patch fundraising effort by unloading a truckload of pumpkins raised and delivered by a Navajo Indian Reservation, with participation by the Pueblo, Zuni, and Hopi Native American tribes.

In the handout literature, Navajo Reservation Director Harry Descheene states that this effort is one of the most important sources of funds for the Native Americans on their Navajo Reservation.

According to Descheene, “The approximately $1.3 million in harvest labor dollars makes a significant difference in the quality of the lives of my people.” Unemployment on the Navajo Reservation is 42 percent.

Locally, the Pumpkin Patch fundraising initiative is sponsored by Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church. The volunteer chairperson is Caroline Tringali. Volunteers who helped unload the truck include local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.