Fall's bounty to help fight childhood disease

Pumpkins For A Cure, a nonprofit organization, will host its annual pumpkin drive to benefit The Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation. Now in its seventh year, this public event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, and Sunday, Oct. 2, at the old Kane County Courthouse, 100 S. Third St. in downtown Geneva.

Mary and Paul Zellmer's son, Jim, was just 6 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/JDRF raise additional money to help find a cure. That next fall Pumpkins For A Cure was born.

All proceeds from this event will benefit The Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation. 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 ZCDF 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 2011 event. There will be kids activities, kids raffle, craft table and free giveaways for kids; face painting for kids of all ages. Debbie Notaro, a Master Gardener, will offer fall decorating/gardening tips. Jeanie B and The Jelly Beans will perform family music; and there will be story time featuring award-winning teacher Diane Clark. Enjoy a haunted hay ride featuring Donna Latham, and horse carriage rides on visits to Third Street merchants. Visitors can also watch professional pumpkin carver Marc Solomon and Jesse White Tumblers perform.

The day also includes Taste For A Cure, a competition where Fox Valley restaurants submit a pumpkin-based dessert of their own creation for judging by both a professional panel and the public tasters. Entrants will create one full-size serving for each of the five judges and 500, “3 bite-sized samples” for the public “tasters.” All proceeds to benefit the Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation.

Author Margery Cuyer will read from and give away an autographed hardcover edition of her new book “Skeleton Hiccups.”

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 they 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 more than $6,000 in their first year.

Many companies have offered goods and services to help make this event a success. “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. Now in its seventh year, PFAC benefits the Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation.

The Zellmer Childhood Disease Foundation, NFP is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. In particular, to support education and research related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of chronic childhood diseases.