The Mercer Island Youth & Family Services (YFS) Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser is well underway.
The department bestows its “You’ve Been Pumpkined” award on individuals and businesses who do great things to make Mercer Island a better place.
“We hope to send a positive message about the important effect even small good deeds can have on the lives of so many other people,” said YFS Administrative Coordinator Kim Richards.
Islander Karin Pangborn was the first recipient to be ‘pumpkined.’ This month marks her 30th anniversary as a Luther Burbank front desk volunteer. Karin and her husband Jim have lived on the Island for decades. They raised their sons here, and have seen the Island grow up and out. She not only greets clients at the front desk, but she is a key volunteer with fundraising efforts.
Other recipients included Kay Hirai, owner of Studio 904. Studio 904 has been a supporter of YFS for over two decades, Richards said. It provides haircuts and other services for YFS clients, and host fundraisers. YFS wanted to thank Kay and her team for supporting them in creative ways.
Pete Caldwell, owner of South Mercer Chevron, received his orb for making YFS one of his charitable benefactors. South Mercer Chevron has been a glass pumpkin merchant since the beginning of the annual fundraiser.
Caldwell has committed each year to being a Business Partner for the Giving from the Heart breakfast event.
Vicki Puckett, principal of Mercer Island High School, was recognized for her partnership with YFS and the Communities That Care program at the high school.
Mar Plomp, a volunteer with the Mercer Island Food Pantry, was also ‘pumpkined.’
“We can count on Mar to take on any kind of task, whether it’s picking up produce for our ‘Market to Pantry’ program or hauling donations from our downstairs workspace to the Pantry shelves,” Richards said. “She is happy to commit to the Pantry as often as she is able.”
For additional information about the Pumpkin Patch, including the location of all points of sale, please contact YFS Administrative Coordinator Kim Richards at 206-275-7754 or kim.richards@mercergov.org.
