It is a true pleasure for me to endorse Immanuel Church on the Hill’s application for the Bishop’s
Award for Mission and Outreach. Every October people in Northern Virginia anxiously await the
opening of the Pumpkin Patch to buy their pumpkins, home made soups, cupcakes and cookies. On
two Saturdays their highly prized Apple Crisps are snatched up quickly.
The churches of Region IV are proud to support this ministry which sustains local organizations in
need, as well as national and international causes. Our churches advertise the Pumpkin Patch with
signs on the lawn, flyers and announcements in our bulletins, AND by buying pumpkins! The
ongoing relationships with the organizations supported by Immanuel’s Pumpkin Patch are of great
benefit to the community. We are joined by other faith communities who share our vision for a
healthy vibrant city. Nationally and internationally the Pumpkin Patch supports educational
opportunities for Native American, Haitian and Dominican children and youth through scholarships
and other support.
This outreach project touches many members of the Alexandria community beyond the direct
recipients of the funds raised. Some examples are:

Episcopal High School, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School and Alexandria Country Day
School who help unload the pumpkins.

Nursery schools from Temple Beth El and neighboring churches come to visit and get
“spookies.”

Persons with special needs, young and old, come on field trips with their aides.

Girl Scout troops and gymnastic teams help throughout the month.
Some days, especially Saturdays, the Pumpkin Patch looks like a village green—brides sitting among
pumpkins for a photo shoot, toddlers hiding behind the biggest pumpkin they can find,
grandparents helping their charges to pick the perfect specimen.
The impressive fact and figures in Immanuel's application speak for themselves but do not tell the
whole story. The Pumpkin Patch makes friends while raising financial resources that are sorely
needed and gratefully received in our community and nationally and internationally.
Submitted by,
Grace E. (Beth) Wiggers
President, Region IV