Third Annual Shotwell Environmental Park Pumpkin Patch Raises Thousands For Charity

Meridian Waste North Carolina, LLC, a subsidiary of Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, concluded its October charity pumpkin patch by generating $2,000 for two local organizations.

This year's recipients of the charity pumpkin patch are the Knightdale Fire Department and the East Wake Education Foundation (EWEF). Shotwell Environmental Park will donate $1000 to each organization, matching the dollars donated from the pumpkin patch.

“We have chosen two incredible entities in the community to benefit from the Pumpkin Patch this year,” said Meridian Waste Area President Josh Daher. “First responders and education systems are vital parts of every community. It brings us great joy knowing that we are contributing to organizations that go out of their way to help build and protect the youth and communities of this great county,” said Daher.

The Knightdale Fire Department is responsible for protecting the lives, property, and environment of the citizens and visitors to the Town of Knightdale. Personnel is trained to respond to a variety of emergencies, including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents/rescue incidents, hazardous materials incidents, and natural and man-made disasters. In addition, the Fire Department delivers fire and life safety education to the community.  The department has 75 active members: 42 full-time and 33 Limited Service/Volunteer Employees, and operates out of three fire stations.

The EWEF is a community-based non-profit serving Eastern Wake County families. The foundation was established in 1993 as an advocate for area schools and to "…ensure that every child has the opportunity to arrive at school age healthy and ready to learn." All services are free to the families that visit the center. The program is for children ages birth to five and their parents. Emphasis is placed on introduction to reading, improvement of listening skills, and activities that enhance the child's gross and fine motor skills.

More than 300 attendees took home over 100 pumpkins, and enjoyed face and pumpkin painting, inflatable games, a show from Magic by David, and a complimentary lunch. The Meridian Waste team will deliver the donation checks in November 2022.

For more information about the capabilities of Meridian Waste in North Carolina, please visit https://www.MeridianWaste.com/NC