Pumpkin chunkin,' spooky screening set for Halloween event at Greensburg Salem High

The Greensburg Salem Mini-THON committee is hoping to scare up funds for the battle against pediatric cancer at a Halloween-themed event Wednesday on the high school grounds at 65 Mennel Drive, Greensburg.

Admission is free for activities that begin at 5:30 p.m., but donations will be accepted.

One of the highlights of the event promises to be a new pumpkin chunkin’ activity, which will generate proceeds for the Mini-THON committee’s charitable efforts.

“I’m mostly excited for the pumpkin chunkin’,” said Greensburg Salem senior Regan Lennert, who is in charge of communications and social media for the event. “It’s something kids of all ages could do, from high school down to elementary school.”

For $5, those attending the event will get to catapult three pumpkins at “Mr. Jones.” High school Co-Principal Adam Jones volunteered to take his chances in a dunk booth at a summer community event; this time, an appropriately attired dummy will stand in for him.

The six students organizing the event are getting about 100 pumpkins from an area farm at a discount, Lennert said.

The pumpkin-slinging will be held at the same time as a “trunk or treat” candy distribution. Lennert said volunteers including high school students, their families and faculty will hand out treats from their vehicle trunks to young attendees.

They’re encouraged to come in Halloween attire, as there will be a costume contest with prizes.

Halloween yard games also will be offered, followed at 7:15 p.m. by a surprise “spooky,” yet family appropriate, screening of a feature in the school courtyard. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

In the event of rain, the screening will be shown in the auditorium.

“This is yet another amazing event organized by our students,” Jones said, noting it is among “the great things our students are doing to raise money for pediatric cancer.”

The Mini-THON committee conducted previous fundraising at the mid-summer Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival and at a Greensburg Salem Back to School Bash on Aug. 24.

Later this year, Lennert said, students will wrap holiday gifts for district parents. This school year’s Mini-THON campaign will end with a spring dance marathon.

Modeled after Penn State’s THON event, which concludes with a 46-hour dance marathon, Greensburg Salem’s Mini-THON generated more than $205,000 during its first six years, beginning in 2016.

Proceeds from both campaigns benefit Four Diamonds, a charity that covers medical expenses related to cancer care not covered by insurance for eligible children. It also supports childhood cancer research at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine.