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.

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/.

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.

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.

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!

Sandy Segerstrom Daniels honored by OC METRO Magazine

On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, OC METRO magazine honored Orange County's Hottest 25 People of 2011. Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder and executive director of Festival of Children Foundation, was one of this year's honorees. Sandy was behind the effort that led the U.S. Senate to recognize September 2011 as National Child Awareness Month.

"These are Orange County's movers and shakers - the people shaping business, social, educational and philanthropic circles throughout Orange County," said Steve Churm, CEO of Churm Media and publisher of OC METRO. http://www.ocmetro.com

Congratulations Sandy!