Church Pumpkin Patch Vandalized

This pumpkin patch at Perdido Bay Baptist Church on Sorrento Road has seen better days. The patch was hit by vandals Wednesday night. The front lawn is littered with smashed pumpkin shells, seeds and pulp! In all, more than 40 pumpkins were damaged.

"It's unfortunate that this has happened," says Pastor David Ramsey. "It's sad that someone would come on church property and do such a thing. I remember there was a day that nobody would dare do anything to a church property but those days are long gone."

The pumpkin patch is a charity event. All proceeds go to a local food bank.

"We're frustrated," says youth minister Reuben Epple. "Knowing that there's going to be a clean-up involved and each and every one of these pumpkins that was ruined could have been contributed to the fundraiser."

This sad story does have a happy ending, however. Late Friday, the manager at the local Winn-Dixie donated 40 pumpkins to the church to help keep the patch open.