Last year, Tammie Stelter convinced her husband Keith Stelter to build a giant catapult.

In the evenings, Keith could be found in his workshop sawing, hammering and constructing. It took about 20 hours over the course of two weeks, but the 7-foot long and 4-foot wide catapult was ready to launch pumpkins for a worthy cause.

The contraption helped lift off the first ever Launching Hope Pumpkin Chunking Challenge to raise awareness for the nonprofit Child Family Services where the couple has volunteered for the last two years.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month and for the Stelters, it seemed timely to bring attention to Child Family Services, which serves southwestern Michigan by providing senior care and offers a safe place to families seeking refuge from domestic violence.

But the Stelters said they thought the traditional fun run and 5K benefits were getting a tad old. They also wanted an event that the whole community could participate in.

“We wanted something that would really stick out,” Keith said. “In our opinion people are only going to go to so many awareness walks.”

This year Launching Hope Pumpkin Chunking Challenge returns from 1 to 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Nimby Pond, 11470 Hills Road in Buchanan.

While last year’s challenge used only Keith’s catapult to launch the pumpkins, this year those interested in participating have a chance to construct their own catapult, trebuchet or cannon and join in a contest of distance, engineering precision and pumpkin hurling ability.

Winners will receive a cash prize and trophy. To register fill out the online application. The deadline for entry is Sept. 15.

Tammie and Keith are hoping to attract at least 15 teams to compete. Several teams have signed up already and are boasting of launching a pumpkin to 800 feet.

In addition to watching the flying pumpkins, the Pumpkin Chunking Challenge will also include rides, food, music and face and pumpkin painting and games for the kids. There will also be prizes for the best painted pumpkins.

Last year, the event drew 300 people to celebrate those who have survived domestic violence and the resources that helped them get back on their feet. While the aim remains the same, Tammie said she hopes for even more support this year.

“(The event is) providing awareness not only for the services but for the need for these services so that people might be inclined to donate financial support,” Tammie said.

For this year’s competition, Keith has gone back to the workshop to make some adjustments on the original catapult for the competition. He encourages anyone to try building a pumpkin launching tool and said there are hundreds of easy-to-follow designs on the internet.

For more information visit http://www.launchinghope.com/. There is a $50 registration fee for the pumpkin launching challenge and a set of rules that apply to entries.