Justin Wolfe tries his best to hit the target during Pumpkin Chunkin' on Oct. 26, 2024, at the Baker City Airport.

BAKER CITY — The crowd held a breath every time a pumpkin plummeted through the air and landed, with a splat, on the asphalt.

More times than not, that breath released into a sigh and shake of the head as the pumpkin landed far from the target — another gourd that failed to earn its tosser a cash prize at the annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ fundraiser at the Baker City Airport on Oct. 26.

This was the 10th pumpkin event that raised money for the Spc. Mabry James Anders Memorial Foundation. Named in honor of Anders, the soldier who was killed in action at age 21 on Aug. 27, 2012, in Kalagush, Afghanistan, the foundation provides scholarships to local students.

People come from near and far to support the Pumpkin Chunkin’ fundraiser, said Gen Woydziak, Anders’ mom.

“This is Mabry-approved — he totally would have dug this,” she said of tossing pumpkins from a helicopter.

The foundation has three fundraisers each year: a barbecue at the Haines Fourth of July celebration, a tractor pull at the Haines Stampede grounds, and the pumpkin toss.

“One hundred percent goes to the kids,” Woydziak said.

This year, the tractor pull was canceled because it was scheduled when wildfires were still raging in the area.

Nothing stopped the pumpkins, though. Four hundred tickets, at $50 each, went on sale Oct. 1 and sold out in a couple days.

Jess Blatchford, a Baker Valley farmer, donated pumpkins for the second year, and the event had 15 sponsors that helped offset costs, such as event insurance.

Baker Aircraft, owned by Troy and Gen Woydziak, donates the helicopters and fuel, and the pilots donate their time.

Starting at noon, ticketholders lined up for a chance to climb in a helicopter and try to hit the target as the pilot flew 100 feet above the ground at an average speed of 30 mph.

The target had two circles — one that was six feet from the center, and a second that was 12 feet. JR Streifel, owner of Grumpy’s Repair, which sponsors the event every year, measured any pumpkins that hit near the circle. The top three that were closest to the target earned prizes — $500 for first, $300 for second and $200 for third.

The winning distance was 2 feet, 8 inches. The second place pumpkin landed 3 feet from the target, and third measures 4 feet, 4 inches.

Hitting the target isn’t easy.

“I’ve been chunkin’ for years and I never come close to the target,” Gen Woydziak said.

Additional activities included food and a silent auction that benefited the foundation, and local vendors offered drinks for the spectators.

“It gets the community to come out and visit the airport, and get to ride in a helicopter,” Streifel said.

The day, Woydziak said, depends on a lot of help. 

“There’s always a ton of volunteers,” she said. “People are great supporters.”

She’ll often pause during the day when friends of her son stop to say hi.

“A lot of his friends come up and tell us stories,” she said with a smile.

Pumpkin Chunkin’ is sponsored by Napa Auto Parts, D&J Taco Shop, Grumpy’s Repair, Lew Bros. Les Schwab, Blatchford Farms, Barley Brown’s Brewpub, Lube Depot, Alsco Uniforms, Black Distributing, Matco Tools, V&C Tools, Monkeys on the Run, A-Z Cattle, Glacier 45 and Oregon Trail Livestock.

Woydziak said this year’s event brought the most people to the airport, and had the nicest weather.

“This was the biggest one we had,” she said.

Foundation

Since 2016, the foundation has awarded $100,000 to local students who want to attend college or a trade school.

“We try to help out a student who really needs it,” Woydziak said. “I think he (Mabry) would like that.”

Part of the application is an essay on “Why I am proud to be an American.”

“A lot of it has to do with the essay,” she said of choosing recipients.

For information about the scholarship, or to donate to the foundation, visit mabryanders.org.