What you need to know: Project Pumpkin

Highlights and details for faculty and staff

Project Pumpkin is one of the largest and most beloved annual traditions that brings the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem community together, with all proceeds directly supporting Wake Forest University Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School.

With a Boardwalk theme for 2025, Project Pumpkin will take place Tuesday, October 28, from 3-6 p.m. on Hearn Plaza. The high-energy event offers trick-or-treating, fun and spooky entertainment, and educational activities, all free of charge to hundreds of local elementary-aged children. 

Around 500 elementary-aged children from area schools and after-school programs are expected to attend the popular event, which is student-run, with more than 300 student,faculty, and staff volunteers, and is supported by the Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE).

“Project Pumpkin is important to me because it allows me to give back to a community that has given me so much, a place where I have built incredible relationships and grown both personally and academically,” shared Jenna Ryan (’26), senior director of the Project Pumpkin Executive Board.

This year’s Project Pumpkin event has seen an increase in community engagement, with 80 organizations participating and 75 booths set up by student organizations, campus departments, and graduate school programs. 

Know before you go

Everyone is welcome! The booth request and volunteer sign-up for chaperoning children have both passed, but faculty, staff, and students are still encouraged to attend. 

While volunteer shifts are reserved for WFU students, there are still many fun and meaningful ways for faculty and staff to get involved. Faculty members who serve as club advisors are encouraged to participate if their club has signed up to host a booth.

Parents of elementary-aged children: Faculty and staff members with children in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to bring their children to join the fun. Simply check your child in at the tent labeled “Office of Civic and Community Engagement” beside Wait Chapel and drop off your pre-filled permission slip. This is the same permission slip used for children in the community; please disregard the language regarding bus transportation. 

A record-breaking year! Started by Wake Forest student Libby Bell (’93) in 1989, event organizers are proud to announce that Project Pumpkin is approaching a record-breaking fundraising goal of raising $15,000 for The Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School for 2025!

The Freedom School is a six-week program serving approximately 70 elementary-aged students in Forsyth County that offers social and emotional learning opportunities while helping children avoid learning loss during the summer months. Donations to Freedom School can be made on the Project Pumpkin Donation Site. 

“Bringing together the local Winston-Salem community and the Wake Forest student body has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience, reminding me of the importance of finding connection, service, and joy wherever I go,” saidRyan. 

See highlights from the 2024 Project Pumpkin and read more about Freedom School.