Each year Thomas Goranson, age seven, along with his younger sister Kate, parents Melanie and Stuart and grandparents Evan and Mary Goranson, take the opportunity to help others by donating to the Weyburn and District United Way by selling pumpkins.

"We are very proud (of the kids). They worked really hard and it is something we could do as a family," Melanie said.

Two years ago the Goranson family decided they wanted to come up with a unique way to raise money for the Communithon and the United Way. They started growing pumpkins at Evan and Mary's farm and now it has become an annual tradition for them.

In October they load the pumpkins in a truck and go to the houses of friends and family asking for donations in exchange for pumpkins.

As time has gone by, more and more people have been learning about the "pumpkin drive" and have wanted to help out.

The first year they started selling pumpkins, they had about 50 pumpkins which raised which brought in about $100 for the United Way. This year they grew quite a few more pumpkins, about 130 in total, and raised about $300 to help others with need.

In the end, though, it is all about raising money for those who need it. The Weyburn and District United Way helps 15 member agencies including the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Weyburn Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Arthritis Society, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Victorian Order of Nurses, the Weyburn and Area Supportive Employment Services, Canadian Red Cross, the Violence Intervention Program, the Weyburn Care-A-Van Society, the Weyburn Special Care Home, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the South Saskatchewan Chapter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Weyburn and Area Early Childhood Intervention Program and the Alzheimer Family Support Group.

The Goransons are one of many people who gave donations to the Weyburn and District United Way and others still can. Donations can be sent to P.O. Box 608, Weyburn, Sask., S4H 2K7.