Salvation Army pumpkin patch in Monessen promotes unity

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Halloween may be months away, but don’t tell that to the kids who helped plant pumpkins Wednesday on Donner Avenue next to the Monessen Public Library.
Kids young and old planted pumpkin seeds, painted rocks and made signs as part of the Monessen Salvation Army’s summer program for kids.
If all goes well, the kids will see the fruits of their labor with a celebratory harvest party in October, which could see as many as 80 pumpkins ready for harvesting.
Salvation Army Capt. Sue Thwaite said the planting the pumpkin seeds event, called “Come Grow With Me,” was a result of having the Salvation Army’s regularly scheduled summer program canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We had to get creative with our summer program because of COVID-19,” Thwaite said. “This is a way they still get to have fun. The community can come and sit here, too.”
Thwaite said the property is owned by Monessen’s Redevelopment Authority, which donated the land to the Salvation Army.
Other program sponsors are the Mon Valley Independent, Crystalline Technology, Precision Tattoo, Mendola Associates, Off the Wall Arts s and A.J. Ceramics.
Volunteer and landscaping veteran Vinnie Tartt of Donora helped with tilling the soil and preparing it for the seeds.
After planting the pumpkin seeds on the Donner Avenue lot, the kids were given their own pumpkin-seed kits to take home.
Thwaite said as many as 42 kids are signed up for the program, and future Salvation Army summer programs include a tie-dye party and friendship nights.
“We’re still evolving as we go,” she said. “This will be a place for the community to enjoy, too. They can stop and catch their breath a little bit.”
Already enjoying the evening’s activities was Monessen resident Matthew Venneri, who sat and watched his grandchildren, Analeesi Austin, 2, and Cassiel Austin, 4 plant pumpkin seeds and paint rocks.
“It’s nice to watch the kids play and it’s nice to feel young again,” he said. “Something like this dresses the street up a bit and it gives the kids something they can call their own. The kids enjoy the camaraderie.”
For Xzaveion Thomas, 9, of Belle Vernon the evening gave him a chance to show his love for pumpkins.
“I really like pumpkins because they look pretty,” he said. “My family has an apple tree and a pear tree and I’m good at helping with them. I painted my rock like a U.S. flag because I have family members in the Navy, Marines and Army.”
Thwaite’s granddaughter, Sophie Friday, 10, helped younger kids paint their rocks and plant pumpkin seeds.
“It’s nice just to see some smiles on their faces,” she said. “It will bring joy and I can see the happiness on their faces.”
Monessen resident Tyesha Meek said the seeds being planted represent more than just pumpkins growing in October.
“This is beautiful and it promotes more togetherness,” she said. “It shows unity and it shows purity. Everybody here are all colors, shapes and sizes. We all love each other.”

From left, Abigail Schubert, 10, Vinnie Tartt and Sophia Friday, 10, plant pumpkin seeds Wednesday at the Salvation Army Pumpkin Patch on Donner Avenue in Monessen.