SHELBURNE FALLS — With Halloween just two days away, nearly all the displays and decorations are set up, but for those seeking a final touch, consider a pumpkin with a heart carved into it.

For eight years, community members have gathered to carve pumpkins in honor of Summer Steele, the 9-year-old Plainfield girl who was killed on Oct. 28, 2016 after her backpack got caught in the door of a school bus and she was run over. A few days after the tragedy, Summer’s family noticed hearts carved into pumpkins around their neighborhood in Plainfield, and have since held annual carving events for family members and friends to gather and remember Summer.

“It was right around Halloween, so some neighbors started carving hearts into pumpkins and lining them along our street and putting them around town,” said Amanda Gaffigan, Summer’s mother.

It’s a fitting tribute, said Adam Gaffigan, Summer’s uncle. Summer loved Halloween and carving pumpkins, so this gathering keeps her close to their hearts.

Amanda said Halloween is a tough time of year for her family, but gathering to carve pumpkins helps see just how much her daughter is loved and remembered. This year, friends, family members and neighbors went to Shelburne Falls Pub and Brew, bringing with them dozens of pumpkins to carve and later distribute in the hilltowns.

In addition to carving pumpkins in honor of Summer, Amanda has been working with state legislators to improve school bus safety. The bill’s latest version, filed by state Sen. Paul Mark, is S.2267, also known as Summer’s Law. The legislation requires that every school bus be equipped with at least two motion sensors to alert drivers if there is anyone within 12 feet of the door before it is opened or closed. Sensor systems shall include an audible and visual alert signal placed inside the bus. The bill also requires additional training for bus drivers, including a special unit pertaining to the pick-up and drop-off of students.

“It’s just about trying to keep her memory alive,” Amanda said.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.