Pumpkin Days event draws kids, families
Judging by the smiles, the Pahrump Disability Outreach Program's (PDOP) Pumpkin Days accomplished its mission this past weekend at Ian Deutch Memorial Park.
The three-day event, complete with a pumpkin patch, offered attendees hay rides, hay mazes and all-around autumn fun for local kids and their families.
Additionally, the event provided a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides in the backdrop of turtle train rides, fall food vendors and the opportunity to get an up-close look at the community's emergency vehicles.
Hot apple cider, kettle corn and a kid's costume parade were also part of the weekend.
The program has grown quite a bit since its inception six years ago.
PDOP was founded by two local parents of disabled children.
President and co-founder David Boruchowitz said the funds raised by the organization support area families of children with disabilities, including medical costs or other services they may require.
Not long after their children were diagnosed with a disability, Boruchowitz and co-founder Paula Cooper started the program, according to its website.
"There was limited information in the community regarding the disabilities. Through PDOP there are now pediatric therapists servicing Pahrump through Dream Therapies, thus saving many families from having to make the trip to Las Vegas for therapy. Although we are leaps and bounds from where we started, there are still hundreds of families in need of services who are unable to receive them in our community."
PDOP is now part of the National Down Syndrome Society.
Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com Find him on Twitter: @sharrispvt.
