For several years, the owner of a greenhouse in Tiverton has been doing all he can to give back to the community that supports him.

Leo Teixeira has owned Leo's Greenhouse located at 377 Main Road for about 32 years.

"You can't ask for anything better as far as the community," he said. "Everybody is very loyal and very supportive. We all kind of work together."

Teixeira, who's kept the business locally and family owned, said during the spring and fall months is when business typically booms.

He also puts up Christmas trees and everything Christmas-related typically in the middle of November.

Fall though, is his personal favorite.

"I've been probably through 60,000 pounds of pumpkins so far this year already," he said. "We do a lot of mums, probably about 5,00 mums and corn stalks. When I need them, I go cut them. We also do a lot of straw."

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Teixeira said since the community he sells to has been so supportive to him for many years, he has also tried his best to give back to them.

Whether it's lowering prices down for families in need, donations or delivery, he does it all and for the past five years, in spring and fall, he supports Tiverton schools by donating pumpkins and flowers or whatever else they may need to keep their schools festive.

"We try to help the kids at the schools, some families, if they need it," he said. "Most of the teachers' pay for their stuff out of pocket, so I try to help them out because if they're taking out of their pocket, we can do the same."

Teixeira has a working relationship with the PTO and speaks with them each month to make whatever idea they have come true.

"My parent teacher organization works with Leo frequently to get donations for the schools to beautify them during the fall and spring season," said Susan Craven, the principal of Tiverton High School. "I think he's very generous and kind and I can't thank him enough for everything he does for our schools. I think he understands that schools have success based on community partnerships and we attribute our success to those partnerships and Leo as well."

This year, Teixeira donated most of the pumpkins, mums, cornstalks and hay that's been put up at every entrance to the high school and in surrounding areas.

In some instances, depending on the school and amount, he delivered them.

"They come in, ask for pumpkins and corn stalks to make some displays," he said. This year, over at Pocasset Elementary School, we gave them about 250 pumpkins so all of the kids could have a pumpkin for their patch. If they do purchase something, I give them something more of the same value, over the value. It just feels good to help someone else."

Despite the pandemic, Teixeira continued to donate and do all he could during the tough time.

"He's never said no, nope. Not once he's never said no," said Craven. "For us here, sometimes physical appearance, it sometimes it contributes to positive mental health and so when students walk into the building, and teachers walk into the building, I want them to feel good and if you see things that look good you'll feel good and that's what they get here because of Leo."

"It's Halloween, we want everyone to have fun. Especially with what we're going through right now, we want everyone to enjoy life. I enjoy giving because they've given me so much through the years, they've kept me in business."

To date, he's given away thousands of dollars' worth of product and said he plans to continue his working relationship with the community to do good.

"I get cards from the kids, cookies from the kids, you'd be surprised. They bake me pies and stuff, it actually makes it all worthwhile," he said. "I don't feel like, 'Oh, I gave money away.' It's like, 'No, I did a good thing and that's the way it should be.' Unfortunately, not everybody thinks that way but that's the way it should be. Giving back a little bit. When you're helping kids out, it means a lot."

"We're forever grateful for everything he has done and continues to do for us," said Craven. "I think it just shows and models kindness in how people can come together to do something good for the community. I think he's fabulous in everything that he does for us."