Pumpkins & popcorn: Appreciation Day is Oct. 31

This masked pink pumpkin was submitted by MCHD's Adult Clinic last year
in the 2012 pumpkin carving contest. While it didn't earn top honors, we thought
its presentation was pretty terrific, what with the tutu and matching tablecloth.

MOBILE, Ala, -- On Thursday, Oct. 31, all Mobile County Health Department staff members are encouraged to either dress up in a costume or dress down in casual wear as we collect cans of food to donate to a local pantry. We’re also having a pumpkin carving contest for teams and a costume contest for individuals.

 You are appreciated! Snacks will be provided Oct. 31 as we learn more about seasonal flu mist. Those who work on the main campus will gather between 2 and 3 p.m. in the third floor media room in Keeler. Off site locations will have a designated time for an appreciation event to be assigned and announced by their managers.

 Contest Prizes: Prizes will be in the form of food vouchers. Teams or individuals who win the vouchers will coordinate with Missy Wilson to purchase food or snacks of your choosing. For example, the first-place pumpkin carving winner will receive a $50 voucher. It can be used to order pizza or snacks or salads (or other food items of your choice) from a local restaurant/business during weekday office hours by Friday, Nov. 15.

 Pumpkin carving contest: First place, $50 food voucher; second place, $30 food voucher; third place, $20 food voucher.

Costume contest: First place, $20 food voucher; second place, $15 food voucher; third place, $10 food voucher. All vouchers must be coordinated through Missy Wilson and used by Friday, Nov. 15^th.

Contact Missy Wilson no later than 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30 if you plan to enter the pumpkin carving contest. On the day of the judging, contestants should email photos of their pumpkins and/or costumes to Wilson no later than 9 a.m. Her email is mwilson@mchd.org. Her number is: 690-8823. Emails must include your name, department’s name, name or theme of the pumpkin or costume and your location. Special guest judges will tour Keeler on the morning of Oct. 31 to select the best entries.

 Please remember costumes should be appropriate to greet or work with the public. We don’t want to frighten or scandalize children or our co-workers. Thanks!