The 10th Annual LaLa Project Pumpkin Sale will be Saturday September 27

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The LaLa Project: Pumpkins, Community, and Caring for Cancer Patients

This fall marks the 10th year of The LaLa Project, a community-driven effort that started with a single packet of pumpkin seeds and has grown into a major local tradition. Founded in memory of Corinne Jenkins’ mother—affectionately nicknamed “LaLa”—the project has become a way to turn pumpkins into hope for families facing cancer.

How It Began

Ten years ago, Corinne and her kids planted a few pumpkins. When the crop produced far more than expected, they set up a donation-based stand to raise money for cancer care packages. That first effort raised $800, and the idea took root.

Today, the project involves multiple growers, including Case Bruning, an 11-year-old who has been growing pumpkins for The LaLa Project since he was five. Case’s grandparents provide the land, and dozens of family members, friends, and volunteers help harvest. Local families like the Brunings and Allensworths also play a key role in making the project possible.

This year, more than 27 pumpkin varieties were planted, filling trailers and dump trucks with everything from giant pumpkins to tiny gourds.

The Sale

Saturday, September 27
3:00–6:00 PM
White Show Barn, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Red Oak

There are no set prices—pumpkins and gourds are available for a free-will donation. Guests are encouraged to bring carts or bags and give what they can.

Where the Money Goes

Proceeds fund cancer care packages through the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Oncology Department and beyond. These packages include gas cards, blankets, lotions, water bottles, support pillows, and handmade port pillows to ease the treatment journey. Requests come directly from the hospital as well as families in surrounding communities.

The sale is more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration. Survivors often stop by to sign a special pumpkin or board, families share stories, and volunteers work side by side to spread comfort and hope.

Photos from “Picking the Patch” thanks to Gayle Allensworth