The lawns of homes in Floyd, Polk, Bartow, and Gordon Counties are being populated by bright purple yard signs with jack-o-lanterns on them. The slogan above the smiling pumpkins says: “GET PUMP’D”. Each of these signs is both a gift and an opportunity.
This is all part of Get Pump’d for Kids, an initiative providing a fun, safe way to celebrate Halloween while supporting the children of Rome and its surrounding counties. The Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth (RFCCCY) has partnered with Harbin Clinic, Polk Family Connection, Bartow Collaborative, and Gordon County Child Advocacy Center to make this a reality.
The holiday fun works like this. Members of the community go to https://events.harbinclinic.com and purchase a Pumpkin Pal (a GET PUMP’D yard sign), place the sign in a friend’s yard, and leave a surprise Halloween treat at the door. Signs can be purchased through the website from October 2nd through October 30th. Proceeds from the Pumpkin Pals go to help the child/family advocacy nonprofits mentioned above, allowing them to continue their good work. Also — and this is the best part — for every Pumpkin Pal purchased, a special Halloween treat (a family-friendly activity kit and candy) will be delivered to child in foster care. So, each Pumpkin Pal is a gift that gives, then gives again.