September 27th Service on Saturday: Second Baptist Church Pumpkin Unload

Helping unload pumpkins and set up the photo backdrop challenged my problem-solving skills. We had to figure out the best way to set up the pumpkins so they would not block walkways or roll away. I also worked with other volunteers to design the hay backdrop so it would be tall enough and strong enough to support anyone sitting on it. Finding solutions to these problems while still making sure everything looked good and was safe helped me think more critically and creatively.
I learned that the church’s pumpkin patch is an event that brings lots of people together. When talking to one of the event coordinators, I found out that the pumpkin patch usually has around 5,000 visitors each year. Learning how many people look forward to this event helped me realize how much effort is needed to create a welcoming environment. It also made me understand why it was important for us to work hard while volunteering.
I worked as a part of a team, and having multiple people involved made the workload much easier. We communicated constantly to move the pumpkins efficiently and keep everything organized. Everyone took on tasks they felt comfortable with, which made it feel more like a team effort. Working together also gave me the chance to meet new people and connect with other students.
The organization leaders supported me during my service by offering help whenever I seemed confused, giving clear instructions, and being very polite throughout the event. They even showed us pictures of previous pumpkin patches so we would have a better idea of how everything should look.
One challenge we had was organizing the hay for the backdrop in a way that was sturdy enough to hold people. We also struggled to fill the gaps between each bale so no one would slip through. Eventually, we decided to restart the entire set up and focus on building a strong base first. Although it took longer than expected, the final result was much sturdier, and everything worked out in the end.