9th annual 'Blue Pumpkins for Paws' fundraiser

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The ninth annual Blue Pumpkins for Paws event kicked off this weekend, bringing the community together once again, this year in support of local animal rescue Diamonds in the Ruff.

Blue Pumpkins for Paws is a fundraiser held in memory of a fallen Buffalo police officer, Lieutenant Craig Lehner, who tragically lost his life in 2017.

“This event started after the tragic tragedy of Officer Craig Lehner going into the Niagara River during a training exercise and not coming out,” said friend Scott Milligan. “Craig was a great person. He loved going out there and talking to people and introducing himself, and I think Craig really brought the canine unit into the limelight of helping."

Scott said he served with Lieutenant Lehner, and for him this event is personal. 

“I was deployed at the time of his accident and my wife Allison took several blue pumpkins down to the Niagara River just to have the community show support for honoring Craig, and hoping to find him and bring him back out. Tragically that didn't happen, but it started something that has gone on for now our ninth year, and we've raised thousands of dollars for the Lehner family and the BPD Canine Unit,” said Milligan.

Jill with Diamonds in the Ruff said that being involved means so much to their organization.

“This money helps in a lot of ways,” said Jill. “We try to help as many animals as we can. We have our current animals that are looking for homes; we also take animals if we can from the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter, Niagara SPCA, and the Orleans County SPCA.”

There's also a "Rescue Wheel," where each spin can help local rescues like Buddy's Second Chance and Allie and Pals.

The event features raffle baskets, food, games, and of course, pumpkins for the community to purchase to show support for law enforcement and first responders here in WNY. 

“Something like this that brings everybody together and brings everybody to the realization that these people are heroes and help us on a day-to-day basis is great,” said Milligan. 

“If you come here, you're doing a good thing. We're trying to do good things and it's going to a good place,” said Damian Ritz, a ‘Pumpkin Elf’ with Blue Pumpkins for Paws. 

The event continues on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 118 West Woodside Ave. in Buffalo.