The Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary Hosts 4th Annual Pumpkin Patch in Lyle
The Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary will host its 4th annual Pumpkin Patch event on October 23rd and 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 37 Monogan Howard Rd in Lyle. The event is free to attend although donations to the animal sanctuary are encouraged.
And while the sanctuary can’t currently grow pumpkins because the deer eat them all, there will still be plenty of pumpkins to go around and every child in attendance will get one free pumpkin!
Other event highlights include a pumpkin painting station, a science craft project that explores why the leaves change color in fall, hayrides, storytime in the barn, a pallet maze, petting zoo, photo booth, gift bags, raffles for children and adults, free cider, cocoa, coffee and more.
“The farm is so peaceful and healing and kind,” said Risi Howard, owner of the sanctuary “and I encourage everyone to come out and experience it for yourself.”
The Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary started as Risi Howard’s bucket list dream to provide a home for rescue horses. When Risi rescued her first two horses Jack and Blackie in 2016 her dream became a reality.
“This was just a hobby but one day my vet came to visit and said this is the nicest sanctuary I’ve ever seen and I was like...Oh I have a sanctuary!” said Howard.
Over the years Howards Haven has grown to include more than horses. The farm and its two 250-year-old barns are now home to 5 horses, 7 donkeys, 9 cows, 13 goats, 4 pigs, 6 ducks, 2 fish tanks, 3 dogs, and one barn cat named Graystone.
“The cat was named by a child who attended one of our events,” said Howard.
Howard said she wanted to thank the sanctuary’s volunteers and the community for their support in making the event a reality.
The event is the culmination of volunteer work completed by dozens of community members, and donations from local businesses and community members. This year an orchard donated 400 apples for kids' gift bags and The Hood River Walmart even pitched in $50 for the event.
“I’m so grateful for all the support from the community and for my volunteers. My volunteers are amazing this year. They just came out of the woodwork in the two weeks coming up to the event and they are consistently supportive, strong, and they work well independently,” said Howard “They’ve all really stepped up to make this happen and they’ve done some great work.”
Risi Howard shopping for pumpkins in 2020. Source.
Volunteers this year include: Auzreal Harvey, Kim Hoovinghoff (Vice President for the non profit), Brenda Clack, Carol Ibarra, Donette Frolin (treasure/accountant), Emmille Marconi (paint your pumpkin station), Rhet Howard (brother, maze builder, light hanger, porta potty bringer, and much more, “This would not happen without him,” said Risi Howard), Glenda Lovejoy, and Chuck Costicky.
Participants can make donations to the sanctuary via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or Facebook.
“This entire thing is paid for and put on by yours truly and a lot of volunteers,” said Howard “If you would like to help a sister and her volunteers out with the cost here are some of the ways you can support us. Please make a note that it is specifically for the pumpkin patch or the Animal Sanctuary.”
Ways to Support The Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary Pumpkin Patch
Donate:
PayPal: PayPal.me/risihoward
Venmo: @Risi-howard
Zelle: 541-705-7073
Cash app: $RisiHoward
Facebook: Risi Howard
Or donate to The Howards Haven Animal Sanctuary Yearly Feed Drive GoFundMe. Animals at the sanctuary eat roughly 30-40 tons of hay and alfalfa a year! Which can really add up.
Volunteer Email risihoward@yahoo.com or call 541-705-7073 for more information.
Pumpkin Patch Flyer
