POOLER, Ga. — October 3, 2026 — The Children’s Museum of Pooler will host its inaugural Great Pumpkin Carve-Off fundraiser in collaboration with the YMCA of Coastal Georgia’s West Chatham Branch during its Community Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the West Chatham YMCA in Pooler.

The family-friendly event will bring together familiar faces from across the community as featured community carvers compete to raise funds for the nonprofit museum. Proceeds will help maintain and improve exhibits, purchase learning materials, support hands-on educational programs for children and families throughout the region and advance the museum’s efforts to establish a permanent home in the community.

“The Children’s Museum of Pooler is where children discover, create and build lasting memories with their families,” said Crystal Daniels, executive director and co-founder of the museum. “This fundraiser gives our community a fun way to support the exhibits, materials and programs that make those experiences possible while helping us work toward a permanent home. We are deeply grateful to the community leaders, sponsors and partners who are stepping up for local children and education.”

Online voting is underway and continues through Oct. 30. Each participating carver has a personal fundraising link, and every $1 donated counts as one vote. The carver who raises the most money will be crowned Pumpkin Royalty on Halloween through the Children’s Museum of Pooler and West Chatham YMCA Facebook pages.

Carvers will begin with 60 minutes to create their designs. Donations can unlock up to 30 additional minutes at a rate of $10 per minute. Carvers who raise at least $500 before the event may select a partner to help them carve. After the event, children visiting the museum will also have an opportunity to vote for the Kids’ Choice Award.

The Oct. 17 celebration will feature the West Chatham YMCA’s Community Trunk-or-Treat, food vendors and opportunities for families to watch and cheer on the pumpkin carvers. Admission to the community celebration is free.

The Children’s Museum of Pooler extends special thanks to Great Pumpkin Sponsors Chatham Orthopaedics and LUV Car Wash; Pumpkin Patch Sponsors Innovative Orthodontics and the Hupman Group; Featured Community Carver Sponsor Terracon; and Product Sponsors The Home Depot in Pooler, The Graphics Shop and Beautifully Entangled.

Community members can support their favorite carvers and donate at givebutter.com/cmop-great-pumpkin-carve-off-cmcsgu.