Are you up for the challenge?

The Great Pumpkin Challenge was founded in 2010 by Mackenzie Page when she was in eighth grade at Newtown Middle School. She was inspired to support her friend, Zoe McMorran, who was diagnosed with brain cancer.

Mackenzie invited residents to drop off carved pumpkins for display at her family’s home on Main Street with a suggested donation of $5 per pumpkin, with all donations going to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. The summer camp in Ashford serves children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The youth of Trinity Episcopal Church gladly took over the project in 2016 when Mackenzie left for college, continuing the tradition while moving the event to the front lawn of the church at 36 Main Street.

The group raised $900 last year, and is hoping to do that well — or better — when the scaffolding returns and carved pumpkins are again collected. Readers are invited to drop off their carved creations on Sunday, October 29, between 11 am-1 pm, when volunteers will be on-site to collect and place them.

Pumpkins can also be placed on the scaffolding anytime starting Saturday afternoon.

A donation of $5 per pumpkin is still requested, and 100 percent of the funds collected continue to go to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

Donations can be sent to the church at 36 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, or made online via trinitynewtownct.org.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp was founded in 1988 by Paul Newman, with one simple premise in mind: every child, no matter their illness, could experience the transformational spirit and friendships that go hand-in-hand with camp.

The camp’s programs included year-round outreach to hospitals, clinics, and ongoing services for children, families, and caregivers. These programs serve 20,000 children and family members annually.

All services are provided free of charge. Each summer, the camp offers seven one-week sessions for children diagnosed with cancer and other serious illnesses. Weekend programs that run in the fall and spring provide a camp experience for the family unit.

Registration is not required to participate in The Great Pumpkin Challenge. For more information, contact Kim Merrill at kmerrill@trinitynewtownct.org or 203-426-9070.