EAST LONGMEADOW – Care One at Redstone is hosting fun and festive activities for residents in East Longmeadow.

They’re doing a contact–free “spook-tacular” event to celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin decorating contest for children twelve years old and younger. On Oct. 12, families went to the building on 135 Benton Drive to pick up a free pumpkin outside their makeshift pumpkin patch. For those who were unable to stop by that day, they could call and arrange for an alternative time for pick up.

In addition, on Oct. 13, Care One delivered free apple pies to senior citizens at their cars parked in front of the building.

“In this day in age with COVID, there’s not a lot going on,” said Director of Admissions Michele Altobello. “The Big E was canceled and other fall activities have been canceled in the different communities. This is a way to have the kids do something fall related.”

She added, “We did the pie event because we miss all of the seniors that are in our community. We haven’t been able to see anybody or host any of our usual yearly events that we do. We figured the safest way to be able to see all of our seniors in the community is to give them all a pie, have them stop by and say hi.”

As part of the festivities, children (with an adult to assist) can decorate their pumpkin and then email a photo of their creation to Care One at MAltobello@care-one.com by Oct. 27. They can also post their decorated pumpkins on social media using the hashtag #CareOneatRedstonepumpkinpatch.

The most creative crowd favorite pumpkin will win a Nintendo Switch Lite. The funniest pumpkin is going to win a set of Junior Golf Clubs donated by the Springfield Country Club and the scariest pumpkin is going to win XBOX and Roblox gift cards.

“This is our first time doing this and we hope that it’s going to turn into an annual event we do every year for the kids,” Altobello responded. “We always like to be in contact with everybody and let the community know we’re thinking of them during this difficult time.”

Judging for the pumpkin decorating contest takes place on Oct. 28.

For any questions about the contest, call 224-3203.