As autumn rolls in and the vibrant colors of the trees line the streets, a compassionate tradition sets up on the front lawn of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Glen Ellyn. Each year, just before Halloween, the churchyard transforms into a community pumpkin patch with a purpose: helping to end homelessness. For the past 18 years, the St. Mark’s community has been raising vital funds by selling “Pumpkins for Pads” to aid DuPagePads in our mission.
St. Mark’s Pumpkin Patch operates with a kind-hearted approach: open 24 hours a day on a pay-what-you-can basis. This inclusive model ensures that everyone can partake in the joy of picking the perfect pumpkin while giving back to our community. This year, the pumpkins have traveled quite a journey all the way from the Navajo Nation land in Farmington, New Mexico!
The success of this initiative is a testament to the dedication and kindness of the St. Mark’s community. Since its inception in 2007, this pumpkin patch has raised over $140,000 for DuPagePads.
April Redzic, President & CEO of DuPagePads, shared, “All of our friends at St. Marks are amazing. This pumpkin patch is my official start to fall every year, and we are so grateful for this!”
Some of the DuPagePads team visited and purchased their pumpkins at the St. Mark’s Pumpkin Patch, including President & CEO April Redzic!
Stop by 393 N. Main St in Glen Ellyn for a pumpkin (or two or three)! Thank you to our friends at St. Mark’s for another year of incredible kindness, generosity, and fall cheer.