Pumpkins For A Cure To Celebrate Fifth Year
MEDIA CONTACT: RESZEL IDEAvertising, riinc@reszel.com
Geneva, IL – Pumpkins For A Cure (PFAC), a non-profit organization, will host their fifth annual pumpkin drive to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Mary and Paul Zellmer’s son, Jim was just six years old when he was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in the fall of 2004. When Paul came home from the pharmacy with a bag filled with insulin and supplies, Jim panicked and said, "how long will I have to take shots?” His dad told him “for the rest of your life.” The small boy’s eyes filled with tears and he said "Mommy fix this." From that moment on, the Zellmer family knew what they needed to do . . . roll up their sleeves, pitch in and find a way to help the ADA and now JDRF raise additional money to help find a cure. That next fall Pumpkins For A Cure was born.
WHERE: Now in its fifth year, this public event will take place Friday and Saturday, October 2nd and 3rd, 2009 at Miscella Real Estate at the intersection of State and Sixth Streets in downtown Geneva, Illinois.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the JDRF. All money donated is tax deductible as you simply make a donation – there are no prices associated with any of the pumpkins and other farm goods. Event organizers simply ask that you donate what you believe the items are worth. Families are invited to make a donation to the JDRF and pick out their fall pumpkins, gourds, bales of hay and Indian corn and take advantage of the many activities planned throughout the day for the 2009 event:
- Ghost walks conducted by the Geneva History Center
- Face painting, free giveaway courtesy of It's A Girl Thing
- Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles, FREE snakes to first 50 children
- Pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and bales of hay for sale
- Storytime by Laura Spencer, free Halloween books for first 100 children
- FREE ice cream scoops courtesty of Mel's Diner
- FREE hot dogs, chips and soda courtesy of Viking Office Supply
- Pumpkin weight guessing contest, win a bike courtesy of Mill Race Cyclery
- Pumpkin crafts and photos, balloon and apple games and so much more
The idea for Pumpkins For A Cure came from Jim, himself. His grandparents have a farm in Western Iowa and he thought they could grow pumpkins and we could sell them in their front yard. As residents of Mill Creek in 2004, they started out small, selling their grandparents’ pumpkins and gourds in their front yard, then moved to the Golf Course in Mill Creek. They raised over $6,000 in their first year.
"While the day will be fun and exciting, it will also bring much needed funds to find a cure for the 20.8 million Americans that live with diabetes everyday."
Many companies have offered goods and services to help make this event a success. Some of the 2009 sponsors of Pumpkins for a Cure include; Miscella Real Estate, Hogan Design & Construction, Malicious Think Tank, Geneva Jake's, RESZEL IDEAvertising, and many more. For more sponsorship information, please see our Sponsors section. “While people think they are donating web/graphic design services, marketing, pumpkins or printing services they are really giving hope to children like my son, Jim,” said Mary Agnes Zellmer.
And Jim himself is giving back. He and his younger brother, Joe have started the ‘James and Joseph Zellmer Scholarship Fund’. Jim believes that all children with diabetes should be able to go to camp so that they can learn about how to stay healthy and have fun with other kids just like him.
MEDIA CONTACT: RESZEL IDEAvertising, riinc@reszel.com