STANHOPE, P.E.I. — Jack Shaw loves to watch things grow.
It’s one of the seven-year-old’s favourite parts of operating Jack’s Pumpkins — his roadside stand at the end of his grandparents’ driveway in Stanhope — every year.
“I just like seeing them grow and get bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger, just from a tiny seed like, probably not even that big,” he said with his index and thumb a few centimetres apart and held up to his eye.
His other favourite part is donating part of the proceeds to the P.E.I. Humane Society.
During the last four years, Jack has donated $1,000 to the organization and this year he plans to donate a quarter of what he makes to the society.
Jack was inspired to donate to the Humane Society after his dog Morgan died when he was three.
“So now I’ve started donating money for all the dogs and cats and whatever is at the Humane Society to have food and treats.”
Family business
Jack comes from a long line of farmers and is determined to be one when he grows up. The Shaw family, established in 1773, has the title of oldest family-run farm on the Island.
The ninth generation farmer got his start pumpkin farming with the help of his dad and uncle, who grew acres of pumpkins to sell in Nova Scotia. Once they stopped, they made Jack a stand and handed the reins over to him.
Now, Jack’s made a name for himself in the farming community, said his mom, Krista Shaw.
“Jack’s got a pretty vast regular clientele that come from Tignish to Souris, but he’s had people as far away as Boston who have been on the Island and seen his videos.”
Those videos are something she helps Jack make and post on Facebook to keep folks up to date on his progress. She also offers plenty of other help through most other aspects of Jack’s business.
Jack also ran his first potato stand earlier in the summer. He sold out quickly when an Island restaurant ordered 200 pounds from him.
Staying true to his nature, Jack donated the money to the Stuff a Bus campaign when his mom told him about it, said Jack.
“Just so everyone has the same kind of food that we have, so it’s kind of fair for everyone.”
Humane Society
The donations are always very appreciated at the Humane Society, said Jennifer Harkness, the organization's development and communications manager.
“It’s really incredible when you think about how much heart Jack has and that he just keeps giving back year after year.”
At a glance
Jack Shaw, 7, is a ninth-generation Island farmer who has been selling pumpkins at a roadside stand for the past four years. In those years, he has donated $1,000 to the P.E.I. Humane Society and continues to donate a quarter of his proceeds to the not-for-profit organization.
Jack loves to watch things grow and can think of nothing he wants to do more than continuing the farming traditions of his family.
Though Jack may not be giving thousands annually, his donations are much needed and very important. Last year, between all of those smaller, individual donations the Humane Society received almost $35,000, with around $23,000 coming from children like Jack, Harkness said.
“So those $300 (donations) really do make a huge difference for the organization and we depend on that funding.”
Jack will be selling pumpkins every day at 2716 Covehead Rd. in Stanhope until he runs out, likely close to Halloween.
