Friday, November 30, 2012

Public is Invited to Give Underprivileged Kids Christmas




Festival of Children Foundation and The Happiness Project will be giving 500 less-fortunate children in Orange County a Christmas they won't soon forget.  "Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party" will take place on December 14th at 9pm at South Coast Plaza (after the center closes to regular business). The special evening will give area shelter and motel kids a dream holiday experience, during which may otherwise be a difficult holiday season. 

The night will include food, activities, gifts and games.  Each child will visit with Santa Claus and receive an age and gender appropriate gift bag full of toys, school supplies, gift cards, clothes and shoes.

To learn more about Sharing the Spirit Holiday Party and how you can volunteer and/or sponsor a child to go, visit www.festivalofchildren.org.  Happy Holidays!

Friday, October 26, 2012

Wanted! Motivated and Generous Bidders for Share Our Wine Foundation's Auction Orange County




Attention wine enthusiasts!  Share Our Wine Foundation's Auction Orange County, the premier luxury wine auction in Southern California, will take place on Saturday, November 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the beautiful Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.  The auction, which is open to the public, will feature over 250 exclusive and unique silent and live wine auction lots. 

Now in its 8th year, Auction Orange County has raised nearly $800,000 for local children's charities.  With the help of fundraising auctioneer David Reynolds, the goal is to break $1,000,000 this year.  Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, Orangewood Children's Foundation and Festival of Children Foundation's "The Possible Dream" grant program.

"Attendees will enjoy wonderful food and free flowing wine tastings from top vintners as they search for rare wines to add to their private collections.  You'll be the most anticipated guest at the Thanksgiving table when you show up with wine from Auction Orange County," promises Danielle Staffieri, CEO of Share Our Wine Foundation.

Tickets are $200 per person.  For more information, visit www.shareourwine.org

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

"Sandy's Army" gathers in Washington, D.C.


51 Youth Ambassadors, one from each state and the District of Columbia, gathered in the nation's Capital on September 19 & 20 to celebrate September's National Child Awareness Month.   The group, ages 16 to 22, received funding and leadership training as part of a national collaboration between Festival of Children Foundation and YSA (Youth Service America).

At a reception in their honor on Capitol Hill, many of the Youth Ambassadors were introduced to their elected officials in the House and Senate - leaders who, just like the Youth Ambassadors - believe in service to others.  "These Youth Ambassadors are finding their voice, taking action, and inspiring others to do so as well.  Next year, these newly minted Youth Ambassadors will be invited to mentor the next group," said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder of Festival of Children Foundation.

Shown above is Sandy and her "army" of Youth Ambassadors ready to get their service projects started back in their own communities. 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

11th Annual Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza



Festival of Children Foundation presents the 11th Annual Festival of Children, a community-wide charity outreach event held every weekend throughout September, in conjunction with National Child Awareness Month, at South Coast Plaza.  All ages are invited to enjoy the month-long Festival, offering over 100 free family activities and events, including live music and dance performances, a back-to-school fashion show, arts and crafts, animal shows, face painting skateboarding and more, while showcasing over 75 youth-serving organizations in the community.

"Festival of Children offers children's charities a free opportunity to educate the community on current projects and make outreach to potential donors, volunteers and fellow organizations," said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder of Festival of Children Foundation.  "Children can participate by visiting the booths representing all the different children's charities, learning about what each group does, and how they and their families can get involved.  At Festival of Children, there's always something fun and entertaining happening only a few steps away."

In between visiting the charities' booths and earning how to get involved, guests can enjoy free family fun every weekend in September.  Highlights include:

Project Playhouse (throughout September)

Orange County Canstruction (September 1-23)

Yo Gabba Gabba!  Meet & Greet (September 1 from 2-4pm)

Hello Kitty "Color a Backpack" Craft (September 1 from Noon - 2pm)

Back-to-School Fashion Show (September 2 at 11:30am & 12:30pm)

Beachworks presents "Keep Discovering with Element" (September 15 from 1-5pm)

Mindful Octopus Storytelling Yoga Program for Kids (September 16 at Noon)

Debbie Allen Dance Academy's "Dance Free Day" (September 29 from 11am - 3pm)

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.festivalofchildren.org
Events and scheduled times are subject to change without notice. 

Monday, June 25, 2012

Festival of Children Foundation Proudly Announces Member Organizations in all 50 States!



Festival of Children Foundation has achieved true national status, by now supporting over 470 member organizations in all 50 states.  The latest nonprofit organization to become a member is the Mountaineer Boys & Girls Club in Morgantown, West Virginia.

There is no cost for children's charities to become a member organization of Festival of Children Foundation, but certain criteria must be met:

The organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has held this registration for a minimum of 5 years.

The organization must be located within the United States, and primarily serving constituents in the United States.

The organization must exist primarily to serve children and families.

The organization must offer services in one or more of the following categories:  Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness and/or Social Services.

Festival of Children Foundation is delighted to welcome the Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club of Morgantown, West Virginia to our esteemed roster of member organizations!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

September 2012 to be Designated National Child Awareness Month



We're excited to welcome Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder & Executive Director of Festival of Children Foundation back home to Southern California after a week of meetings in Washington, D.C. where she and her political consultant Tom Wilson were laying the groundwork in getting September 2012 designated as National Child Awareness Month (NCAM). 

Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) are sponsoring a Senate Resolution which is expected to reach the Senate floor for a vote in mid-to-late June.  When it passes, and we are confident that it will, it will mark the 5th consecutive year that September is declared National Child Awareness Month by the United States Senate.

Bearing a striking resemblance to Festival of Children Foundation's goals and objectives, NCAM's mission is to focus America's attention on four guiding principles:
  • Nurture one child.  That's all it takes to make a difference.
  • Children are the future of philanthropy.  It's our responsibility to teach them the importance of sharing and giving back.
  • Actions speak louder than words.  Find a children's cause that's important to you and get involved.
  • Many hands make light work.  So join forces with those who share your goals and dreams.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Festival of Children Foundation presents Kidz EcoFest at Doheny Blues Festival!

Festival of Children Foundation is proud to partner once again with Omega Events in presenting Kidz EcoFest at the 15th Annual Doheny Blues Festival taking place May 19 & 20 at Doheny State Beach.

Young blues fans will enjoy incredible educational opportunities, including music appreciation, crafts and other fun interactive activities guaranteed to keep them engaged and entertained.

Appreciation for music and the arts starts with the education and passion of our children. Kidz EcoFest at the Doheny Blues Festival is another way Festival of Children Foundation lends support in the community. Whether kids want to run around in bounce houses, jam at the Beach Shack, or get involved in craft projects, we're sure fans of all ages will enjoy an incredible weekend at Doheny.

For more information, visit http://www.festivalofchildren.org/.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Festival of Children Foundation Funds Dreams of Orange County Children's Charities

We're proud to share that Festival of Children Foundation recently awarded over $45,000 in grant money to seven Orange County children's charities as part of The Possible Dream 2012 grant program, thanks to generous contributions from Share Our Wine Foundation and Verizon Wireless.

All of Festival of Children Foundation's Orange County based member organizations were invited to apply for the grant money.

A panel of diverse judges reviewed over 60 applications and after careful consideration, selected these charities to each receive grants based on their dreams:




Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County




Families Forward




Human Options




Kids Konnected



Pacific Symphony's Heartstrings



THINK Together



Youth Employment Service (YES) of the Harbor Area, Inc.




Above are representatives from the non-profits who attended the check presentation ceremony held on March 1, 2012.

"It was the innovative thinking and ability to impact the lives of children that caused these dreams to rise above. We hope this grant money will help these organizations achieve their dreams to the very fullest of its potential," said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder & Executive Director of Festival of Children Foundation.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Put Heart In Everything You Do

Did you know that February is American Heart Month?


Festival of Children Foundation wants to empower kids to live a healthy life and have a good HEART. We can accomplish this by teaching our children:

H: Humility

E: Empathy

A: Appreciation

R: Resilience

T: Tenacity

Make a pledge to put heart into everything you do. Donate. Volunteer in your area. Join a cause and be an advocate. Get involved and share your story on our Facebook page.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Who Encouraged You?

When you were a child or young adult, was there someone in your life who encouraged you, showed you the ropes and helped you become who you are today? That person was a mentor to you.

January is National Mentoring Month. National Mentoring Month focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us can work together to increase the number of mentors to assure brighter futures for our young people.


According to the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, children between the ages of 12 through 17 are within the developmental stage most able to best absorb and benefit from the skills of a mentor.


View our list of Festival of Children Foundation's member organizations that offer mentoring programs in your community.


Make your New Year's resolution to get involved and be a mentor!