For the 11th consecutive year, the Wilton Kiwanis Club will be selling pumpkins, gourds and autumn flowers in front of the Wilton Historical Society (224 Danbury Rd.) from Saturday, Sept. 20 through Nov. 1, 2025. This year’s proceeds from the beloved fall sale will benefit the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WVAC). In 2024, the Kiwanis Club successfully raised $40,000 for the Wilton Family YMCA to support repairs following last summer’s devastating floods.
A Long and Storied History
The relationship between the Wilton Kiwanis Club and WVAC dates back to 1977, the year WVAC was founded. The Kiwanis Club contributed the first ambulance to the organization, which John Miscioscia, former president of WVAC, humorously notes was “a Cadillac hearse retrofitted to operate as an ambulance.”
“It was built for rapid transport, not high-tech medical treatment on the way to Norwalk Hospital. Think ‘Ghostbusters,’ not the TV show ‘ER,'” Miscioscia said. “Back then, a busy week might have been six or seven calls. We will do over 2,000 this year and growing. We’ve come a long way.”
WVAC Treasurer Betsy Wallon emphasized the importance of this partnership.
“Most Wiltonians are unaware that the ‘V’ in WVAC stands for ‘Volunteer’ and that we receive minimal financial support from the town. While we greatly appreciate the financial help provided by the Kiwanis Pumpkin Sale, we are also excited to be able to raise awareness of WVAC in our community. When anyone in town calls 911, we pick up. There is no other option. We look forward to meeting folks and telling our story at the Pumpkin Patch this year.”
Wilton Kiwanis Contributions Committee Chair MaryAnne Franco was extremely pleased that WVAC would be the recipient of the funds raised this year through the Pumpkin Patch.
“Kiwanis and WVAC go way back. Just look at our first ambulance. We couldn’t be happier to choose them as the recipients of our Pumpkin Sale proceeds. They are truly deserving; WVAC saves lives and makes Wilton a better place to live and work.”
Community members are invited to visit the Pumpkin Patch on Monday through Friday 2:30-5:20 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday (and Columbus Day) 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., to pick out the perfect pumpkin, support a lifesaving cause, and celebrate fall in Wilton. For more information about the sale and how to get involved with the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the Wilton Kiwanis Club, visit their websites.