The Wildwood Dads Club celebrated a record-breaking year in participation, sales and smiles from the 2025 Pumpkin Patch at Coaches Field. Eighty-six adult and dozens of children volunteered over 148 shifts at the patch, resulted in $67,000 in sales.
Patch Papas, the dads in charge of the pumpkin patch this year, were Brian Fischer, Dave Rochwerger, and Mike Hagerty. The sales of 6,981 pumpkins brought in over $67,000 which is 24% higher than the previous record, 2024’s sales of $54,000 and 5,570 pumpkins.
“We loved helping customers ‘build a pile’ of items up front, explaining the funny varietal names, and filling trunks with more than they can carry,” said Hagerty, the club Co-President.
Dedicated Wildwood dads Anthony Guarino, Nat Reinke, Sergio Serna, and Matt Derrigo also put in the high energy and effort to run the patch and fill in shifts when needed. The patch remained staffed and ready for massive crowds of pumpkin hawkers descending on the patch without notice. The best single day of sales was Sunday, October 26 and brought in $8,002.
All proceeds from the patch go to Wildwood Elementary School to help fund important projects. Proceeds to the school include $20,000 for an updated computer lab of laptops, software, monitors, and peripherals installed.
Dads Club and Wildwood Parents Club funding also donated $19,000 for three chillable water bottle filling stations and a lower playground fountain coming soon. Another $10,000 in donations are earmarked for updates in the auditorium including updated amps, wireless mics, and projector. $3,500 in donations are going to the inclusion room, new MPR chairs, and a new dishwasher in the staff lounge.
The final profit from the patch will be calculated after final invoices arrive. While the fiscal impact is larger, so are the memories made and the smiles of kids picking out their very own Halloween pumpkins to take home.
