Press Release
Man Using Pumpkins to Help Breast Cancer Victims
By Lenoir News-Topic Reporter: Lex Menz
Steve Miron high-stepped over the tall vines in his pumpkin patch off of Little Gunpowder Creek Road. Some of the pumpkins were the typical orange expected in the favored fall decoration. However, along the green vines and leaves were also splashes of pink and white.
“They’re called porcelain doll (pumpkins),” Miron said of the pink pumpkins.
He won't begin selling pumpkins until the first weekend in October, but Miron already has a special plan for the pink pumpkins in his patch. He plans to donate 100 percent of the profit from those to buy gift cards to give to local women suffering from breast cancer, especially since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“No woman should have to go through that,” Miron said. “I talked to my mother. She said it’d be cool to sell them and donate the money to breast cancer awareness.”
Miron said he decided to use gift cards because he wants to know where his money ends up and know that it was making an impact in someone’s life. Currently, he only knows a few friends whose wives have suffered from breast cancer, but he plans to research and fine more. He hopes that he sells enough pink pumpkins to donate at least $75 to as many families as possible to help pay for gas, a night out, a wig or medication.
On June 15, Miron and his wife, who live in the Baton area, spent the day planting 10,000 pumpkin seeds, 750 of which were for pink pumpkins. The planting involves planting a seed, walking three steps, planting another, then walking three more steps, and so on.
“It took us all day. We started at 9 a.m., took a break at 1, started back at 3 and didn’t get done until 10 at night,” Miron said.
Miron’s daughters have also been helping care for the patch. Labella Miron, 10, said she loves pumpkins, although she has never tried pumpkin pie.
“I think they’re pretty cool. I like pumpkins. I like carving them,” Labella said.
Miron said he will cut the pumpkins from the vines, but that is all. Beginning the first weekend of October, anyone who wants to buy a pumpkin can come to the field and enjoy a day of searching through the patch for the perfect orange, white or pink pumpkin.
“When I grew up, we went to the pumpkin patches and went out into the field and picked our own. I hate seeing them in a pile. I like to go out and search for the perfect pumpkin,” Miron said.
If Miron has success with the pink pumpkins this year, he hopes to plant the entire seven-acre field with just pink pumpkins next year.
Call Steve Miron at 828-292-3031 for pumpkin-picking hours or visit his Facebook page, Miron Family Farm, for more information.