The Penn Kidder PTA held a Pumpkin Palooza in the school’s cafeteria last week. Thirty kids signed up to join in the fun to paint pumpkins and eat sweet treats. Five members of the PTA came together to create events for kids and families.

Kristina Corsino, PTA president said, “The money raised for events goes toward more events or activities for the kids. By fundraising, we are able to cover field trips for each class, occasionally help teachers with items for their class. We also host teacher and staff appreciation week.”

Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, cupcakes and gummy worms in “dirt” (crushed up Oreo cookies), along with chips and drinks were available for purchase. All of the bake sale items were made by the PTA and parents. Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, whipped cream and flavored syrups was also available.

Thirteen-year-old Samuel Strohl shared that he likes to do activities at school. Samantha Cipolla, wearing a “Girl Mama” shirt, brought her five girls to paint the pumpkins. Her daughters range in age from 2 to 11-years-old and all were having a good time painting.

Eight-year-old Elizabeth Kash “loves painting” and explained, “I’m only allowed to paint at home in the summer. My favorite colors are pink, purple and blue.”

Cassie Marshall, 8, was “really focused right now,” and not able to turn her head for a photo. When asked her age, she “wrote” an eight in the air with her paintbrush.

Six-year-old Veronica Helsel said that she was “making a little midnight” on her pumpkin, with swirls of dark colors.

All of the kids had yellow shirts on, many a few sizes too big, to protect them from getting paint on their shirts. PTA member Briana Doyle reached out via 30 emails to try to find someone to donate shirts for this event. Moritz Embroidery, in East Stroudsburg, responded in the nick of time, with the shirts being picked up the morning of the pumpkin painting.