Join Me at the Paul Leeder Project Fall Festival

There are some events on my fall calendar that are simply fun places to set up, share my crochet, and spend time in the community.

And then there are events that mean just a little bit more.

The Paul Leeder Project Fall Festival is definitely one of those.

On October 31st from 4 PM to 9 PM, Naturally, MelissaMade will be joining the fun for an evening filled with fall festivities, community, handmade creations, and a chance to use a little crochet to give back.

The Paul Leeder Project Fall Festival is one of the stops on my fall event season, and I am especially excited about this one because my booth will have a purpose beyond simply selling my handmade creations.

Of course, I will have plenty of crochet goodness along for the evening, but two very special friends will be taking center stage.

🦝 Paulie the Opossum

🐟 Freddie the Fish

These Naturally, MelissaMade favorites are coming back for the season with some fun Halloween makeovers, and every one adopted will help support the Paul Leeder Project.

The Paul Leeder Project is about offering a hand up to people in our community through food, clothing, life skills, encouragement, and support.

That mission is one I am incredibly happy to crochet behind.

This fall, 60% of every Paulie the Opossum and Freddie the Fish sale will be donated directly to the Paul Leeder Project.

My goal is to raise $500 between September 12th and October 31st, with the Fall Festival serving as the big finale to our fundraiser.

Every Paulie and Freddie who finds a home gets us a little closer.

If you have been around Naturally, MelissaMade for a while, Paulie may already look familiar.

Paulie was inspired by the opossums that became regular visitors in Ben and his family's yard. What started as a funny little backyard encounter eventually inspired a crochet friend who could help do some good in our community.

For Halloween, Paulie is getting a couple of spooky new looks, including a Zombie Opossum and a Witch Opossum.

Same lovable Paulie. Just a little more Halloween mischief. 🎃

Freddie the Fish has a meaningful story of his own.

Freddie was named in honor of Paul Leeder, Ben's grandfather, who loved to fish.

This Halloween, Freddie is getting in on the fun too, with special Vampire Bass and Pumpkin Bass versions planned for the fundraiser.

Paulie and Freddie will be $35 each, with 60% from every sale going toward the Paul Leeder Project.

Paulie and Freddie may be our fundraiser stars, but they will not be the only crochet friends coming along!

I will be filling my booth with handmade creations from Naturally, MelissaMade, including seasonal makes, squishy friends, sensory creations, and whatever else happens to make its way off my very busy hooks between now and Halloween.

Some things may only be available in limited quantities, so part of the fun is seeing what came along with me that day.

And even if you are not shopping, come say hello!

One of my favorite parts of these events is getting away from the computer, meeting people in our community, talking crochet, and sharing a little bit of what Naturally, MelissaMade is all about.

Last season, our Paulie and Freddie fundraiser helped raise around $200 to support holiday meals.

This year, I would love to see what we can accomplish together.

Every purchase, every share, every conversation about the project, and every person who stops to learn a little more helps spread the word.

It is a beautiful reminder that something as simple as yarn, a crochet hook, and a little creativity can become part of something much bigger.

Paul Leeder Project Fall Festival

📅 October 31, 2026

📍 Park St, Newington, GA 30446

🕓 4 PM to 9 PM

🎃 Fall Festival Fun

🧶 Naturally, MelissaMade Crochet Booth

💜 Paulie & Freddie Fundraiser

I hope you will come spend part of your Halloween with us, meet Paulie and Freddie, see what has been coming off my hook, and help us support a wonderful local cause.

I'll see you at the festival! 💜🧶

Handmade with purpose.