"The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits' annual "Be Our Guest" luncheon, which took place Friday at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, is where the advocacy group bestows its annual Impact Awards. But the event is better known for the decorated pumpkins created by elected officials and community leaders - or their staffs - to auction off in a fundraiser. The decorations range in complexity from pumpkins that are beautifully painted or adorned with ribbons to elaborate dioramas where the gourd itself is almost incidental."
"And like many times in the event's history, this year's pumpkins were a mix of creative whimsy and serious messages. There were pumpkins referencing the "No Kings" protests and urging voters to pass Santa Clara County's Measure A. Three pumpkins referenced pop culture hit "K-Pop Demon Hunters," and one, created by Silicon Valley Community Foundation staffer Daniela Ruvalcaba, was an over-the-top celebration of Bad Bunny's upcoming appearance at Levi's Stadium for Super Bowl LX. There were two pumpkins decorated as the Golden State Valkyries mascot and one Labubu pumpkin (because it's 2025 and you have to have a Labubu pumpkin). "We have to have joy in these trying times or else we won't be able to sustain ourselves," Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits CEO Kyra Kazantzsis, who was dressed as a witch trying to conjure "nonprofit magic," which she said was making something out of nothing."
The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits held its annual Be Our Guest luncheon at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose, combining an awards ceremony with a decorated-pumpkin auction fundraiser. Pumpkin designs ranged from painted gourds and ribboned pieces to elaborate dioramas conveying both playful and serious messages. Several pumpkins referenced local politics, pop culture phenomena, sports, and contemporary mascots. The event emphasized joy amid challenging times, with CEO Kyra Kazantzsis invoking the need for joy and "nonprofit magic." Award recipients included Richard Konda, Dana Bunnett, Erin O'Brien, Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice & Empowerment, and the Rapid Response Network.
Read at The Mercury News
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