More than 5,000 pumpkins were delivered Sunday to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church — part of a monthlong fundraiser now in its 19th year.

The church has put on the pumpkin patch since 1994, and it has grown in popularity from year-to-year.

The pumpkins are grown on the Navajo Indian reservation in New Mexico, which distributes pumpkins for fundraisers across the United States.

“We started with maybe one-tenth of a truck, and now we have one full trailer,” said Cyndi Khoury, project coordinator.

Khoury said her favorite aspect of the pumpkin patch is to “see the children’s faces.”

“The minute it’s unloaded we can’t wait for the kids to come out,” Khoury said. “It’s the best place for someone to come and have a great time with their kids.”

Nearly 150 students from across the area showed up Sunday to help unload the 18-wheeler, which weighed 43,000 lbs. — loaded with 1,800 bulk pumpkins and 3,000 smaller pumpkins.

Nine-year-old Hallie Swire came with Girl Scout Troop No. 104 to unload the pumpkins.

“I wanted to come out here and be helpful to the community,” Swire said.

Madison Fontenot, 14, attended with the Beta Club from W. W. Lewis Middle School in Sulphur.

“I help out every year,” she said.

The prices for the pumpkins range from 50 cents to $35. Pumpkin bread is for sale, and there are free games available to the public.

The pumpkin patch, which will continue until Oct. 31, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays. It continues from noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The church is located at 1700 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur.

A line of volunteers help unload pumpkins Sunday at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for their annual pumpkin fundraiser. Nearly 150 local students came to help Trinity with a shipment of more than 5

Rick Hickman

000 pumpkins at this year’s fundraiser. (Rick Hickman / Special to the American Press)