Twenty-six volunteers from Western Asset Management in Pasadena arrived on Hillsides campus Tuesday, October 28, to provide pumpkin carving and an In-N-Out Burger truck for the children of Hillsides.

Hillsides patio was turned into a pumpkin patch Tuesday, October 28, when Western Asset Management of Pasadena put on a pumpkin carving event for the children and treated them to an In-N-Out Burger food truck. The 62 children in residence at Hillsides Pasadena campus each received a pumpkin and help carving it from 26 Western Asset volunteers.

Within minutes of carving, tables were littered with pumpkin seeds, pulp, and emerging scary jack-o-lanterns. While some children enjoyed the creative process of decorating and carving, others delighted in a more simple aspect: “I like the messiness,” one boy happily exclaimed.

This is the 10th year in a row that Western Asset has provided the pumpkin carving/In- N-Out truck event. It is one of the most popular volunteer opportunities among Western Asset employees, according to event organizer, Kathleen Driscoll, the coordinator of employee and community programs at Western Asset. When Driscoll sent out an email to the company’s employees asking for volunteers, within a day, all the positions were filled. “We love the children at Hillsides,” she says.

Western Asset was not the only organization that gave back to Hillsides during the month of October. Through the Circle of Friends, a support group of the Kidspace Children’s Museum, Hillsides children were able to attend the museum’s annual Pumpkin Festival October 18 – 19. The next week, volunteers from Campbell Hall School in Los Angeles, Warner Bros Entertainment, and the National Charity League of Pasadena in separate events made crafts with the children. Saturday night, one of the Hillsides volunteer groups, the Hillsides Volunteer Network, screened “Frankenweenie” for the kids on an outdoor screen, and on Sunday, October 26, the children were invited to attend Spooky Sunday, a Halloween event sponsored by the non-profit organization, Big Sunday. On Halloween, volunteers will come to campus to face paint the children’s faces – just in time for trick or treating.

“Halloween is one of the children’s favorite holidays due to the support of all of our wonderful volunteers,” said Hillsides Director of Community Resources Laura Kelso. “I want to give a big thank you to all of the individuals and organizations who have made a difference in the children’s lives this October.”

Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and their families. For more information, please visit www.hillsides.org.