Kane Regional Centers Participate in Annual Event

One simple act of kindness 75 years ago led to a tradition and spirit of giving that continues today at all four John Kane Regional Centers.

Each year, the third Sunday in August is designated as “Cantaloupe Sunday” as residents at the Kane Centers in Glen Hazel, McKeesport, Ross Township and Scott Township are served specially prepared cantaloupes.

The tradition began in 1935 at Woodville State Hospital and later expanded to Mayview State Hospital. Eventually, “Cantaloupe Sunday” was well received at what then was known as the John J. Kane Hospital and finally to the Kane Regional Centers.

Seventy-five years ago, James Underwood, a deacon at Braddock’s Bethel Baptist Church visited a good friend who was a patient at Woodville State Hospital. Underwood presented his friend with his favorite fruit – a cantaloupe. Underwood’s friend decided to share the cantaloupe with his roommate.

“My father took him a cantaloupe. He gave the cantaloupe to his roommate. My dad saw the joy on their faces as they shared the cantaloupe,” said Dorothy (Underwood) Lee, daughter of James Underwood. “My father said, ‘Next year I’m coming back with cantaloupes for everybody.’ ”

James Underwood lived up to his promise. The tradition grew. His daughter helps coordinate the efforts decades after that first cantaloupe was presented as a gift to a friend. Unity Baptist Church also remains involved in Cantaloupe Sunday.

“The residents at Kane respond positively to the Cantaloupe Sunday,” Lee said. “They look forward to this like Christmas.”

While the tradition brings enjoyment to the recipients, a lot of hard work, organization and fund-raising goes into the project. Several months of planning and the contributions of many volunteers are necessary to make “Cantaloupe Sunday” a success.

“The organizers, volunteers and our staff have teamed to make this event one of the most popular events of the year,” said Sue Crump, Director of Volunteer Services at Kane Ross. The Kane Centers will present Lee a plaque commemorating the 75^th anniversary of Cantaloupe Sunday.

To follow food and safety guidelines, the fruit is de-seeded, cut up or pureed by the regional center food service employees and then put into bowls for the residents to eat a lunch.

“The hardest work is cutting, seeding and preparing the cantaloupes,” Lee said. “We cut and seed the cantaloupes and place it in the fruit bowl for the residents. We have fund-raisers to purchase the cantaloupes.”

The dedication and work didn’t go unnoticed. The City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County each have made proclamations declaring that August 15, 2010 as “Cantaloupe Sunday.”

“I am so very, very proud,” Lee said. “I’m ecstatic about the fact that we have received a proclamation from the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to declare that (Aug. 15) is Cantaloupe Sunday. We do get so excited this time of year. We enjoy working with the Kane Centers. It’s wonderful.”

There is another historical tie to the first “Cantaloupe Sunday.” Willa “Bea” Greathouse is the only volunteer who was part of the original Cantaloupe Day in 1935. She has only missed two Cantaloupe Sundays due to illness.

“The tradition for Kane started at Woodville where United Baptist Church would deliver cantaloupes for our residents,” said Gwen Baugh, Volunteer Coordinator at Kane Glen Hazel. “It went from Woodville and extended to Mayview, and finally to the four John J. Kane centers.

“Our kitchens will cut, clean and puree the cantaloupes, and the volunteers will come and scoop it into bowls for our residents. They are a great group of volunteers.”

 For more information, contact Gwen Baugh, Volunteer Coordinator at Kane Glen Hazel, at 412.422.6982 or Sue Crump, Director of Volunteer Services at Kane Ross, at 412.369.2083.