6th Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser – October 3rd –31st
Each year in October, an ordinary piece of land sitting at the corner of one of middle Tennessee’s busiest intersections, becomes a “pumpkin patch.” It’s not just any pumpkin patch…it’s THE place to buy your “Pumpkins for a Purpose.”
On October 3rd, Cooper Trooper Foundation will hold its 6th Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser. It is the foundation’s primary fundraiser to support its mission of helping support families who have been diagnosed with childhood cancer.
The 501c3 non-profit organization began in 2009, after Rod and Missy Cook’s youngest son, Cooper, was diagnosed with Infantile Fibrosarcoma at only 8 weeks old. The couple saw quickly the impact that Cooper’s diagnosis had on the whole family, especially his two older brothers. In the midst of going through this, the Cooks decided to do something to encourage and support these often overshadowed “Heroes.” There are minimal resources for the well siblings of children diagnosed with cancer, yet they are the ones who suffer many of the adverse effects. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the disease and unintentionally, these siblings can feel left out. The Cooper Trooper Foundation wants them to know that they are not forgotten, even though much of the focus inevitably turns toward their sick sibling. With that in mind, CTF developed a “Courage Kit” which is given to well siblings. It includes items to celebrate the Heroes that they are, such as a t-shirt, medal, book, journal, and Huggable Hope duck.
Additionally, Cooper Trooper Foundation financially supports an endowed fund set up at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt specific to childhood cancer research. By September 2015, Cooper Trooper will have donated $100,000.00 to this fund.
Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as corn stalks are available. If you are going to buy your pumpkins, why not support a cause while doing so? You can feel confident that 100% of the profit from these pumpkin sales goes directly toward supporting its mission of helping these families whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer.
The Pumpkin Patch also offers a FREE Kid’s area every Saturday and Sunday, complete with an inflatable, trained face painters, corn trough, and games. Photo opportunities are also available any time. So, bring the family out and enjoy supporting a non-profit that is making a difference. The Pumpkin Patch is on the corner of Cool Springs Blvd and Mallory Lane – (in front of Walgreens).
To find out more information, visit their website www.coopertrooper.org and check out their Facebook page.
“Spooks and Coupes” is a brand new event created by our department to replace our retired “Haunted Trails of Horror”. This new event will have more attractions and features and is designed to be more interactive for the whole family and more suited for younger children than our previous Haunted Hayride. Families can come in costume and enjoy a Trunk-or-Treat on the trail, showcasing a mini car show of 30-40 top classical and modified cars from the mid-state region. Car owners will be handing out candy as kids “trick or treat” from car to car along the trail. We will also have a Food Truck Parade to provide dinner and snack options, an entertainment stage with various performers, an inflatable bounce house and slide, a craft tent to make Halloween goodies and a Haunted Forest where guests can meet their favorite Disney villains. This event will take place on the fields and walking trail behind the 