|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Ambassadors of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital held its 13th annual Family Day at the Pumpkin Patch, a partnership with Webb Ranch in Portola Valley in support of the hospital. On Oct. 1, all proceeds from tickets and pumpkin sales directly supported the children’s hospital.
In nearly 100 degree weather, children’s faces were red as they pulled carts full of the heaviest pumpkins they could find. Families also enjoyed bounce houses, hayrides and corn mazes.
Ambassadors of Lucile Packard is an organization of over 200 volunteers who are focused on raising funds and increasing engagement with the hospital.
The annual partnership is an opportunity for families to purchase pumpkins for themselves and to donate to patients at the hospital. All donated pumpkins are brought to Lucile Packard to create a pumpkin patch at the hospital for patients and their families to enjoy on Oct. 9.
“We understand that just because a child in a family is undergoing treatment for an illness, life outside doesn’t stop and their needs don’t stop,” said Shruti Desilva, co-president of the Ambassadors of Lucile Packard. “Their ability to want to experience joy and all the ‘normal things’ is the same and so children shouldn’t be deprived of that.”
Children push a cart full of pumpkins that their family plans to donate to patients at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
Colorful pumpkins for sale at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
A group of children and a parent wait for the hayride to start at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
Aanya, left, and her mother, Pratiksha Somaia, right, walk out of the corn maze at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier. 
Aanya, left, and her mother, Pratiksha Somaia, right, walk through a corn maze at Webb Ranch in Portola Valley on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
The hospital pumpkin patch aims to bring out the natural joy from patients and engaging with families at the hospital. All donated pumpkins get transported to the hospital by Webb Ranch and get disinfected by volunteers prior to setting up the hospital pumpkin patch.
At the hospital, families can pick out a pumpkin, decorate them, and enjoy snacks, a photo booth, caricature artist and more.
“It’s a really fun way for families to come and celebrate fall together so they’re not deprived of that, despite being in the hospital,” said Desilva.
The Ambassadors raise about $5,500 to $6,000 each year from pumpkin sales, she said.
Every year, Desilva said that she sees the same families come out and support the hospital at the pumpkin patch and enjoys seeing how children are getting involved.
“It gives us a chance to expose our children to the importance of philanthropy at a young age,” she added. “
This year’s fundraising goal, also known as Fund-a-Need, aims to invest in the Teen Van, a mobile health clinic that serves underinsured and uninsured youth in Peninsula. The van offers basic needs, general health, mental health and sexual health services.
For more information on the Ambassadors visit ambassadorslpch.com.
Ex-San Mateo Community College District chancellor found guilty of tax fraudFebruary 4, 2026 10:14 am