To the Editor:

Remember that house on Main Street that displays all those pumpkins out on its lawn for Halloween? This is The Great Pumpkin Challenge, started by Mackenzie Page in 2010 as a fundraiser for her friend Zoe, who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Since Mackenzie has headed off to college, the Trinity Youth want to carry on her tradition, and hold the 6th Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge on Main Street.

We're challenging everyone in town to reach out to family, friends, neighbors, church groups, sports teams, clubs, or scout troops. Have fun carving goofy, frightening, or just plain weird jack-o'-lanterns, then drop them off in front of Trinity Church with a $5 suggested donation per pumpkin.

All of the donations will go to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, where Mackenzie has donated the money for the past five years. This camp, which is provided free of charge, was started by Paul Newman for kids living with serious illnesses, and allows the campers to just be kids again. Mackenzie started donating the money to the camp because Zoe had a great experience there as a camper.

You can drop off your pumpkins in front of Trinity Church, 36 Main Street (the stone church by the flagpole) on Friday, October 28, from 3:30 to 7 pm; Saturday, October 29, from 9 am to 2 pm; or Sunday, October 30, from 9 am to 2 pm.

On Halloween night, make sure to come and see everyone's pumpkin masterpieces lit up right near the flagpole. Please go to www.greatpumpkinchallenge.org for more information.

Remember, as Mackenzie has always told us, we can change the world, one pumpkin at a time!

Thank you,

Jack Wojtowicz and Rick Irving

members of the Trinity Church Youth Group

and 2016 Great Pumpkin Challenge Committee

36 Main Street, Newtown September 20, 2016