There is a wonderful saying that expresses our feelings best this evening after being one of the host sites for the Missouri Slope United Day of Caring. It goes like this: “Until we reside in a place where gratitude is better expressed, THANK YOU will have to do.”

Today, 74 volunteers from the Bismarck-Mandan area joined with the Papa’s Pumpkin Patch team to tackle 20 different projects. We built party tents, painted roof tops, sealed new play structures, repaired a bridge on the Nature Trail, built an amazing sand box, cleaned and positioned an awesome Tire Park, got creative with a new Pedal Park race track, and that’s just the start. WOW!

With all of these willing hands and hearts, we were able to accomplish what Papa can only dream about for visitors this fall. We are touched and grateful beyond words for the community support we receive from events like the United Day of Caring. And we are most excited for our 2014 season so we will be able to give back to the community in some measure the joy and energy you have shared with us.

Indeed, until we reach a place where gratitude is better expressed, THANK YOU will have to do!

Papa