About

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 filed 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 raise additional money to help find a cure.  That next fall Pumpkins For a Cure was born.  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.  The money would all be donated to help find a cure.

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 for a cure 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. 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.

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.  The money would all be donated to help find a cure.  

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 for a cure in their first year.  “This year we will use over 5 tons of pumpkins.  But don't worry, we won't run out of pumpkins because Kuipers will make a mid-day delivery if we run low,” said Mary Zellmer.  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. Sponsors of Pumpkins for a Cure include; Miscella Real Estate, Hogan Design & Construction, Dean Alan Design, RESZELiNDUSTRIESiDEAVERTISING, Malicious Think Tank, Geneva History Center and more.  

“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.”  

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.