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Past Event: Wish Upon a Falling Pumpkin

October 3, 2009

When Bauman Farms in Gervais won the rights to hold the area’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off in October, they knew they wanted to use the event as a springboard to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. Sarah Bauman, the youngest member of the family-run business, has wanted to plan a fundraiser since learning that her brother brother-in-law received a wish in 2001. Trevor’s one true wish was for a touch-screen computer and games—which he still plays and loves.

“I’m so excited!” exclaimed Sarah when she heard the total of nearly $7,000. “We really wanted to adopt a wish, sort of to say thank you for the wish that Trevor got. People were so supportive and selling the ducks and stars gave us an opportunity to spread the word about Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon.”

Sarah’s idea was to drop a 300-pound pumpkin from a helicopter, into a pool filled with rubber ducks to see which one flew the farthest. She turned it into a fundraiser by selling the ducks to customers at the farm and at Woodburn Company Stores. For each purchase price of $10, $15 or $20, a different color duck was placed in the pool. Depending on which color duck flew the farthest, Bauman Farms promised to make a donation of 100 times the value of the duck. In addition, at least 85% of each duck purchase is donated to the Foundation.

On October 3, Sunset Helicopter slowly lifted the giant pumpkin more than 220 feet into the air and carefully aimed at the inflatable pool set up in a field behind the farm’s activity area. Several thousand people crowded around to watch as the pumpkin was released and came crashing down into the pool. Ducks flew everywhere – and the winner was finally found 126 feet away, winning a $2,000 donation from Bauman Farms.

But Sarah wasn’t content just to sell ducks. She also asked event sponsors to help sell paper stars for $1 each. All told, 322 ducks and 243 stars were sold, and the Baumans raised $6,737 for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon.

“We’re already looking forward to next year!” exclaimed Sarah.