Bellaire High School Leo Club at the Nature Discovery Center

Dila Sarikaya sports a Leo Club t-shirt and watches guests play the games. (Photo: Saaj Patel)

On Oct. 15-16 the Bellaire Nature Discovery Center held their annual pumpkin patch complete with games, food and fun for the whole neighborhood. For the Bellaire High School chapter of the Leo Club, this means a fun day of helping kids and adults pick their favorite pumpkins and play games. 

The Leo Club, in collaboration with the Lion’s Club, is an international organization that works toward helping members promote leadership and experience, and to gain opportunities to help the community. At Bellaire, the students come up with projects and volunteer opportunity to help the Bellaire and Houston areas, such as helping at the Houston Food Bank, Children’s Museum, or, in this case, the Nature Discovery Center Pumpkin Patch.

As this event happens annually, the Leo Club takes on a volunteering role each year. Bellaire club president Geoffrey Zimmerman, a junior, discussed the planning that went into getting members involved in the event. 

“The organization was not that extensive because we do it every year,” Zimmerman said. “There were four shifts, two on each day, and we knew we needed at least five people per shift. We sent out a link with information and everyone signed up.” 

(left to right) Juniors Satya Das and Or Gadot help organize one of the activities. (Photo: Saaj Patel)

The students were incredibly eager to work during this event. The activity gives students both volunteer hours, important to their resumes, and the satisfaction of helping the community. Cool weather was another added bonus which drew many members in.

“We got about 20 – 25 people to sign up for each day,” Zimmerman said. “The volunteers helped with carrying and choosing pumpkins as well as running the carnival and events.”

Though pumpkins were a significant draw, they were not the only attraction at the event. Numerous food vendors and trucks lined the streets, guests were welcome to horse-drawn carriage rides around the neighborhood, and a plethora of games were set up for kids to play.

“We were in charge of running some of the games and activities,” Connie Deng, a junior, said. “There was a hoop tossing game where you knocked down pins. You could make little witch hands by filling clear plastic gloves with popcorn and candy corn.” 

Thalia Rigney, a junior, helps a guest to her choice of prize after winning a game. (Photo: Saaj Patel)

Deng went on to explain the game she was working with, a highlight for many of the younger kids. 

“I was at the ‘lollipop hedgehog’,” Deng said. “Basically, you let a kid pick a lollipop and if the bottom has a black dot, they win a small prize.”

Overall the event was a huge success with many happy kids and adults. The smiling faces were a great way to end the 23rd annual Nature Discovery Center Pumpkin Patch.