By David Harry
Staff Writer

A Saco family is making plans for a Oct. 15 and 16 fundraiser in response to the theft and vandalism of pumpkins that grew across the street from their Buxton Road home.
Jason Berry, his partner Robins Watts, and their three sons last week discovered a pumpkin vine growing across from their home had been cut, perhaps during Tropical Storm Irene.
“They knew what they were doing,” Berry said about those responsible.
The vine, which grows near the entrance to Saco Heath recreational area, had six pumpkins of varied sizes growing on it. The three largest were stolen and the remaining three smashed, Berry said.
“They were so big they would not fit into a garbage can,” he said about the largest pumpkins.
The family of five includes 5-year-old Andrew, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Berry and Watts envisioned selling the pumpkins and others they are growing in their backyard to help pay for his care, adaptive equipment, or simply to do something nice for the whole family.
The damaged vine is now marked with a sign that explains what the theft meant to the family and displays a black leather knife sheath Berry said was left behind.
“I used to check them when I went out to get the mail. I was hoping to show them off and was sick when I saw what happened,” Berry said.
Grown from seeds left over from a jack o’ lantern carved last year, the vine grew in a spot where he has dumped compost, Berry said. Saco Public Works crews were careful to avoid it when trimming roadside, he said.
The vine grew so well Berry said he often had to guide it away from the road.
News of the theft and the family’s reaction has gotten nationwide attention. Berry said he has received calls and e-mails from Idaho and Louisiana.
The benefit sale will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Saco Pathfinders clubhouse for the sale. The snowmobile club is located at 42 Heath Road, about a mile from the Berry home.
Berry said proceeds from the sale will be used to pay for adaptive equipment for Andrew and support programs at the Morrison Center in Scarborough, where he receives support and education.
Money from the sale will also benefit national foundations that support research, treatment and education about epilepsy and cerebral palsy, Berry said.
Pumpkins sold at the fundraiser will come from in part Grant’s Farm in Saco and Harvest Hill Farms in Mechanic Falls, said Rick Grant and Mike Kelcourse of the farms.
“My girlfriend e-mailed me about the story. I’ve known Jason a long time and I felt terrible someone would do that to him and his family,” Grant said.
Grant invited Berry and Andrew to stop by and select some pumpkins. Kelcourse said Harvest Hill Farms owner Peter Bolduc plans to ship pumpkins to Saco from the Mechanic Falls farm.
“We are willing to help any way we can,” Kelcourse said.
Berry said an account has been set up at the Saco TD Banknorth branch for money raised from the pumpkin sale and donations. Contributions to Andrew’s Pumpkins can be made at any TD Banknorth branch or mailed to the Saco branch at 4 Scammon St., Saco, ME 04072-5122.