Community Donated Pumpkins Create On Campus Patch at Fisher’s Peak
Fisher’s Peak Elementary hosted a community supported pumpkin patch this fall, with donations and volunteer effort bringing pumpkins to campus for students to select and carry. The initiative provided a low cost, community centered celebration that eased family expenses and boosted local school spirit.
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Fisher’s Peak Elementary in Las Animas County staged a pumpkin patch on campus this October after community members donated pumpkins and volunteers and school staff set up the display. Students were seen carrying pumpkins across the playground and choosing their favorites as part of a fall activity organized by the school. The event, reported in The Chronicle News on October 30, 2025, served as an accessible way for families to mark the season without incurring the usual costs of off campus events.
The patch was created through direct donations and hands on help from staff and volunteers, reflecting a broader pattern of local support for school activities. For many households, seasonal celebrations such as Halloween can add to household expenses that are not covered by school budgets. By sourcing pumpkins through donations and staging the event on site, the school reduced barriers for participation and kept the cost to families low while providing a safe, inclusive environment for students.
Beyond immediate cost savings, the pumpkin patch offered educational and social benefits. Selecting and carrying pumpkins provided elementary age students with simple motor skills practice and opportunities for social interaction. The hands on nature of the activity strengthened connections between students, teachers, and community volunteers which can help foster a sense of belonging and reinforce community ties in a rural county where such connections are particularly valuable.
The event also illustrates how community collaboration can supplement limited school resources. Rural districts often face tight budgets and competing priorities, and community donations of materials and volunteer time can expand programming without additional public expenditure. While such efforts do not replace the need for stable funding for schools, they show how local engagement can preserve traditions and provide enriching experiences for students when public resources are constrained.
For Las Animas County residents, the patch was more than a seasonal perk. It signaled active civic participation and a willingness among neighbors to support young families and the local school. The visible enthusiasm among students and staff at Fisher’s Peak may encourage similar community led events elsewhere in the county, offering a replicable model for low cost, school based celebrations that balance educational value with affordability.
As the school year continues, the pumpkin patch stands as an example of practical community problem solving. Local officials and school leaders may look to these kinds of partnerships when planning future activities, weighing how volunteer time and donated goods can be used strategically to enhance student experience while public funding remains under pressure.
