This year’s JOEE Pumpkin Fundraiser was a smashing success! And not a single pumpkin was actually smashed during its execution. About 80 pumpkins were harvested from the “Hushagen Farms” in Nagano, where the JOEE director, Ruth Ingulsrud, tends the fields. In early October, the pumpkins were transported to Tokyo and donations rolled in to the tune of about ¥300,000! This total was boosted by the sales of about 40 organic, delicious butternut squash. One hundred percent of the proceeds went directly to JOEE to help support our free English classes which are taught in seven different orphanages here in Japan. JOEE is also now teaching several one-on-one online classes for older youth residing in the care homes.
JOEE pumpkin sales were generously supported by the United School of Tokyo, a small but mighty international school located in the Shibuya area. The upper elementary students assisted in the fundraising effort and even met our car to offload many heavy pumpkins to their classroom. From there the pumpkins would be picked up by happy families in plenty of time for Halloween festivities. A big thank-you to their UST teacher, Augustine, who is also a volunteer for JOEE and donates his time every month bringing English lessons to children, ages two to eight, to a care home in Odawara.
A pumpkin distribution station was also set up on Sunday, October 11th at Tokyo Union Church near OmoteSando in Shibuya. Folks stopped by after the early traditional service at 8:30 and before and after the contemporary service at 11:00 to pick up a pumpkin or a butternut squash or two and learn about Joyful Opportunity English Education. TUC is one of JOEE’s annual sponsors and we are honored to be supported as one of their many ministries. New JOEE volunteer, Alice from Italy, came to help; and Mehhhgumi the sheep was “on hand” to talk to the young customers.
Pumpkins and colorful costumes also featured in many of our JOEE English lessons in orphanages from Nagoya to Tokyo to Osaka. Volunteers dressed up and provided costumes for the children to try on and practice “trick-or-treating.” Some got to try making a Jack-o-Lantern and enjoy the magic of seeing their creations all lit up with a cheery glow.
We are now planning and looking forward to Christmas parties at the orphanages where JOEE serves. In some of the homes, we have partnered with international schools to buy warm socks and presents for all of the children in a care home. Contact JOEE if your school or church would like to help with this yearly charitable event.
