Plymouth Fire Department sells big pumpkins for an even bigger cause
The money goes towards things like Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents, coats for the kids, mattresses for families who lost everything in a fire.
PLYMOUTH, Michigan (FOX 2) – Plymouth Township firefighters do more than fight fires – and it all starts in their charity pumpkin patch.
“It started six years ago with a few pickup trucks loaded with pumpkins and this year we actually got a full semi-load,” Lt. Pete Bukis said.
He says this year they’ve already sold 2,500 pumpkins – so he got more, because the money made there – goes to people in need in the community.
“We have developed a relationship with all of the directors and church leaders in the community,†he said. “And if they know someone in need, we spend the money to help them.”
The money goes to Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents, coats for the kids, mattresses for families who lost everything in a fire.
“Whatever is needed locally, we have the funds to help,†he said.
Bukis got the idea while growing pumpkins on his family farm. Sell ​​the pumpkins and donate these donations directly to the Plymouth Township community.
“We started six years ago and made about a thousand dollars – and this year we’re hoping to make about seven,†he said.
“If you’ve ever worked with Pete, you kind of know that he goes beyond what we do as firefighters every day, helping the community,†said firefighter Aaron Bigger. “He sees someone – wants to help him – he’s a very generous person.”
And you can donate too – $ 20 gives you three big pumpkins and $ 10 gives you three small ones. There is a safe in the Haggerty and Beck fire stations where you can leave your donations.
“I always get pumpkins from the Plymouth Township Fire Department,†said Robert Yoder.
For some, it has become a family tradition.
“I have two kids who love pumpkins – and they always have the biggest pumpkins,†Yoder said.
Biggest pumpkins – for a better cause.