It was the perfect result for a first-year fundraiser conducted through social media.
Called the Pimped Out Pumpkin Auction, it raised slightly more than $2,500 over the past few weeks with the proceeds going towards the Road To Hope.
“Well, we kind of had an idea a couple years ago to do a fall fashion show fundraiser for Road to Hope,” said Annie Syryda, one of the event organizers.
Instead, they decided to sell pumpkins over Facebook that they had decorated with spray paint. The idea came from giving away the same type of pumpkins last year as door prizes.
“It’s something that people hadn’t seen before (and) it makes it a little bit easier as far as funding and we can fit into our everyday stuff,” she said.
There were 20 pumpkins with decorations ranging from “candy skulls” to metallic silver to pink with fake gems on it. They posted the pictures of the pumpkins on a Facebook group and members of the group posted their bids in a silent auction format.
Syryda says the response was “really good” with bidding up to $100 on some of the pumpkins.
She’s quick to point out, though, that Road to Hope – a non-profit which deals with those receiving cancer treatment outside their community – did not ask for the money, it’s something they wanted to do on their own.
“We felt like we’d like to do something for them every year,” she said. “Road to Hope is such a great cause because all the money stays the community and I think that’s a really big draw.”
Syryda stated she’s looking forward to seeing the pumpkins on display around town.
Next year, there are plans to make it even bigger. They’re hoping to get more people involved and to ask farmers to donate the pumpkins.
