Sunshine, goats, ocean air, handmade gourmet food, and big smiles all around – by that measure alone, Puente’s first-ever Fall Harvest Fundraiser was a consummate success. It also achieved its primary objective, raising $32,000 for Puente’s youth programming.

The fundraiser, held September 14, brought more than 100 Puente supporters to the sunlit pastures of Harley Farms, Pescadero’s acclaimed goat dairy. Unlike most visitors, these special donors had the run of the farm – and a great deal of happy chatter and goat petting ensued.

“Everybody was just so happy to meet everybody else,” recalls Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of Puente.

Supporters also enjoyed a mouth-watering menu of finger foods, prepared in-house by Harley Farms chef Joe Harrington. Dishes included artichoke frittata, stuffed jalapeno peppers, pulled pork from Markegard Family Grass-Fed, lemon cucumbers with Harley Farms tomatoes and thyme, and duck crostini with melted onions and Farmstead quince.

“We had a fabulous afternoon with wonderful people supporting Puente and their involvement in our community. It was a pleasure to host the event and to be a part of our diverse and happy village! I hope we will have the opportunity to do it again,” says Dee Harley, founder of Harley Farms.

Lobel made some remarks inside the farm’s beautiful big barn, along with Program Director Rita Mancera and board members Laura Franco and Mary McMillan. The women updated guests on important goings-on at Puente, including progress on the mobile medical clinic bound for the South Coast in 2015 and Puente’s emerging early literacy programs.

About half the money raised came from foundations and sponsoring corporate partners, and half from individuals. All new and increased donor gifts, and gifts from donors who had not given to Puente in the previous 12 months, will be matched by the Sobrato Family Foundation.

All the money raised at the Harley Farms event will underwrite the costs of Puente’s transformational youth summer program as well as its children’s programming. It’s an essential source of support, says Lobel.

“These unrestricted gifts allow us to be the most flexible and do things other organizations would wait for money to do, like create a youth program. It helps us respond quickly to community needs.”

Click here to view event photos taken by Lars Howlett.

To donate to Puente, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/puente.

Puente Health Fair / Feria de Salud, October 19 Features Flu Vaccines and a Kid’s Bike Rodeo

Join your neighbors for Puente’s first-ever community health fair on October 19. The Fair will offer a full array of health screenings and workshops. 11 a.m. – 3:00pm, Pescadero Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 620 North St.

Puente’s annual flu vaccination clinic, which will no longer occur during Dia de los Muertos. Professionals will be on hand for hearing tests, skin screening, blood pressure and diabetes screenings, family planning, and referrals for everything mentioned above. It’s an easy way to get fit for fall, with a free flu vaccination clinic, breast exams for women over 50, STD testing, yoga, Zumba, Zumba Kids and more. Speakers will share the latest information about health insurance.

There will be a raffle and a bike rodeo for kids. The The Bike Rodeo, courtesy of the San Mateo County Bike Alternatives Program, Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, Silicon Valley Bike Coalition, Siena Youth Center, and BikeSmart.org.

Zumba Fiesta, October 28

Come party with all the Zumba instructors at the last Zumba class of October! Get fit and enjoy the party atmosphere. 6-7 p.m., Pescadero Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, 620 North St.

Dia de Los Muertos, Starting October 16

Puente’s annual Day of the Dead celebration corresponds with the final Pescadero Grown Farmers’ Market of the season. And there are series of events in October.

Oct 16: Make paper catrinas ▪ Hacer catrinas de appeal

Wear your favorite costume and face paint, and bring something for the community altar. Wander a handcrafted labyrinth. Kids’ games and music! Rain or shine. 3-7 p.m., 251 Stage R

oad (Next to Pescadero Country Store).

Thanksgiving at La Sala, November 27

Come spread the spirit of Thanksgiving by volunteering and/or dining at a very special La Sala with your South Coast neighbors. 6-8 p.m., Pescadero Community Church, 363 Stage Road.

Community Posada, December 19

Puente’s annual Christmas Posada is an event not to be missed. The Posada is a touching Mexican ritual where locals enact the story of Jesus’ birth with a community procession, local stand-ins for biblical characters, and beautiful songs. The Posada ends with a visit from Santa and the biggest party of the year at Pescadero Elementary School. The Posada begins at 5 p.m. at Pescadero Community Church, 363 Stage Road.

La Sala Posada, December 21

There will be vast helpings of holiday spirit on hand at the annual La Sala Posada, which doubles as a big gift distribution event for farm workers, supplying them with clothing and other essentials. Be a part of it! 6-8 p.m., Pescadero Community Church, 363 Stage Road.

For information on all upcoming events, contact Puente at (650) 879-1691.

Holiday Wish List!

More than 150 local families count on Puente’s generous community of donors for help with meals, clothing and other essentials during the holidays. Puente also helps parents buy their children what they need. Click here to see Puente’s holiday ‘wish list’ and contribute to the spirit of giving this winter.

Massage table needed for Health Fair

Do you have a portable massage table? Puente would like to borrow a massage table for our upcoming community Health Fair on October 19.  For details, contact Community Health Coordinator Molly Wolfes at (650) 879-1691 x 321 or email Molly Wolfes.

Puente needs a new car!

Puente is seeking a new “Puente mobile” – a mid-mileage, well-maintained Jeep-type vehicle – for our back roads travel. Have one lying around? Donate it today for major “Carma” (karma) points. For details, contact Kerry Lobel at (650) 879-1691 ext. 144 or email Kerry Lobel. 

Seeking donated adult mountain bikes

Here on the South Coast, most farm and nursery workers rely on bicycles to commute to work, run errands, and participate in Puente programs. Puente’s bike program is asking for used mountain bikes to help meet those needs. If you don’t have a bike to donate, consider donating some tires or a bike light. Adult-sized bikes only, please. To donate, contact Community Outreach Coordinator Ben Ranz at (650) 879-1691 x 143 or email Ben Ranz.