Mark Lowe, relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners, was at the Redmond TOP Foods store earlier today to sign autographs and interact with fans as part of a fundraiser for St. Jude Catholic Church in Redmond.

“It’s always an honor to be able to reach out to the community and do things like this for others,” Lowe said. “To be on a personal basis with the fans, it’s a lot of fun.”

After reading the June 26 Redmond Reporter story about Masses for the developmentally disabled at St. Jude Catholic Church, management at the Redmond TOP Foods store decided to host a barbecue event to benefit the special needs program.

Redmond TOP gave away prizes throughout the day and there were plenty of fun activities for the kids, including the ever-popular water-balloon tossing contest.

With Lowe making an appearance, along with plenty of food and kid activities, the event appeared to be quite a hit with the community.

St. Jude Pastor Dave Rogerson was certainly appreciative of the event put on by Redmond TOP.

“Some of the folks here at TOP Foods had seen the article about the special-needs liturgy up at St. Jude, and they offered to host an event, something locally, and we’re just delighted they called and put this on for us. It’s a great way to get the word out and support the kids with special needs.

“I think it really helps to create a little bit of that community atmosphere. It lets people know, too, that there is support and are people who care.”