To the Editor:

Newtown, you inspire me.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet many incredible people in town during this five year journey, and I can tell you that we live in a very special place. Newtown has embraced the Great Pumpkin Challenge for five years. This year, you carved 228 pumpkins and we raised $76,419 to benefit The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp!

This couldn’t have happened without the support from Castle Hill Farm, Mason’s Farm Market, Taylor Rental of Monroe, The Newtown Bee, Trinity Church, Congregational Church of Brookfield, Maureen Will and the town departments, Newtown Lions Club, Southbury Baking Company, pumpkin carving parties, my family, teachers, trick-or-treaters, and of course, the carvers. And thank you to my friends at The Travelers Championship, Life is Good, Positive Tracks, John Boccuzzi at Edible Arrangements, Larson-Juhl, and Bridget Moynahan.

I’d like to say this to all the girls who may have an idea: be brave, take a chance, and make it happen. You live in the most wonderful town where people will support you and believe in your dreams. Four years ago, I didn’t know if anyone was going to drop off a pumpkin, and look at what the Great Pumpkin Challenge has become. With the positive encouragement from our community, family, and friends, we were able to change the world, one pumpkin at a time. And so can you.

Love,

Mackenzie Page

Great Pumpkin Challenge

14 Main Street, Newtown         November 30, 2015