Mannequins are what cosmetology students at the Warwick Area Career and Technical Center can be found practicing on as they set different hairstyles. On Tuesday, however, they were handed pumpkins and urged to put their creative skills to work. In place of hair dryers and rollers they were handed small carving knives and told to go the work.

Their creations, all in the name of a cause to help Anchor Paws, will be on display Saturday on steps leading to the Greene Historic Cemetery on Tanner Avenue not far from the Fraternal Order of Police hall in Apponaug. The FOP will be the focus of an Anchor Paws Rescue fundraiser starting at 7 p.m. and including dinner, music and a raffle that among other items includes two roundtrip tickets to the Caribbean.

Martha Bottella of Anchor Paws Rescue and Christina Sanders, cosmetology instructor, have both worked at the FOP and came up with the Halloween-themed fundraiser that involves the students as well as a pumpkin-lined walk to the hilltop cemetery. Twenty-five of the pumpkins were donated and another 25 purchased from Stop & Shop.

“They get to be creative as they want,” said Sanders when asked if students had been given plans.

Bottella was thrilled by the community effort and what it means for Anchor Paws Rescue. She said the organization founded by Paul Vanasse rescues animals from Texas as laws there are especially lax on the euthanizing of animals. While Anchor Paws lacks a physical home, Bottella said through a network of foster homes, the organization was able to place 240 dogs last year. Four to six of the 23 dogs now waiting for adoption will be at Saturday’s event.

Bottella said there’s noting to compare to the feeling when a dog is “placed in that forever home…sometimes you question who saves who.”

Theme for the evening is an old time carnival and guests are urged to dress appropriately although costumes are not required. In keeping with the theme there will be a “puppy-kissing booth.”

The suggested donation is $25 at the door. The pumpkin walk to the cemetery is open to all at no charge. (Text and photos by John Howell)