Shining a spotlight on children's charities during Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza!



Childhelp Orange County Chapter is just one of over 50 children's charities that will be on site during Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza this September.  Every weekend in September, families can participate in more than 100 events and learn about child-focused charitable groups. 

Activities include arts and crafts, singing and dance performances, and more.  Visitors can also check out Canstruction OC's giant fantasy structures made entirely out of canned foods.

This September is special, as we also celebrate National Child Awareness Month (NCAM).  NCAM is an effort led by Festival of Children Foundation to focus the attention of our nation on the most critical issues facing children today.

This month, and all year long, we're proud to shine a spotlight on children and the nonprofit organizations that serve them. 

So make plans to bring the entire family to Festival of Children this month.  All of the events are free to the public.  For a schedule, visit www.festivalofchildren.org. 

Carousel of Possible Dreams raises $150,309 for Chicago Kids

On Saturday, August 3rd, over 180 attendees (including Ronald McDonald!) climbed aboard a 19th Century French carousel to raise $150,309 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

"It was a nice intersection of friend-raising, fundraising and people working together all at an unbelievable estate," said Doug Porter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana (shown above with Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and you know who).

The Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills, IL was the site of Festival of Children Foundation's most recent Carousel of Possible Dreams fundraiser.  The Carousel of Possible Dreams is an innovative fundraiser of Festival of Children Foundation.  "The concept of the Carousel of Possible Dreams is at the heart of Festival of Children Foundation.  It's about people coming together collaboratively to make a positive difference for kids.  Festival of Children Foundation supports children's charities across the country, including some extraordinary organizations in the Chicago area," added Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder and Executive Director of Festival of Children Foundation.

The Carousel of Possible Dreams puts the "FUN" in Fundraising!





Festival of Children Foundation is proud to partner with the Sanfilippo Foundation in Chicago to present The Carousel of Possible Dreams on Saturday, August 3rd.  This unique carousel fundraiser will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Chicago civic, business and philanthropic leaders will test their fundraising prowess aboard the Eden Palais, a spectacular 19th Century European Salon Carousel housed at the private Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington Hills, Illinois.   Armed only with their cell phones, riders will dial for donations as they go round and round and up and down on the carousel.  Riders will not be allowed off the carousel until they've achieved their fundraising goals for the charities.  100% of money raised will go directly to the nonprofit organizations.  How long it takes is up to the riders! 

The goal is to raise $300,000 for these two children's organizations.  We invite you to visit www.festivalofchildren.org for information on how you can help support this unique fundraiser.  

Senate Resolution 173 designates September 2013 as National Child Awareness Month

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It's official!  September 2013 has been declared National Child Awareness Month by the U.S. Senate!  Senate Resolution 173 was unanimously passed on June 18, 2013.

Festival of Children Foundation is proud to have once again succeeded in its efforts to promote awareness of children's charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States.  2013 is the 6th consecutive year this effort has been led by Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder and executive director of Festival of Children Foundation.

We'd like to thank Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and her five cosponsors, Richard Burr (R-NC), Thomas Coburn (R-OK), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Patty Murray (D-WA). 

If you'd like to read more details about Senate Resolution 173, we invite you to click on:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/sres173/text

InStyle Magazine Event at Longchamp Boutique benefits Festival of Children Foundation



InStyle Magazine and Longchamp recently partnered for an exclusive shopping night at South Coast Plaza.  The event was co-hosted by Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder of Festival of Children Foundation, and Jennifer Grace, founder of the Native Fox blog.   Guests enjoyed complimentary mini-manicures inspired by Longchamp's LM Cuir collection of colorful spring bags.

And the great takeaway? 

Longchamp and InStyle Magazine generously donated a portion of proceeds from the event to Festival of Children Foundation!

Festival of Children Foundation is proud to be the official Nonprofit Charity Partner at the Doheny Blues Festival for the 5th consecutive year!



Kids of all ages turn out to write 507 letters to U.S. troops in one afternoon!

Festival of Children Foundation and Team Kids collaborated on "Letters from Home" on Saturday, April 27th.  The afternoon was designed to recognize Global Youth Service Day with a goal to set the record for the most cards written to U.S. troops in one afternoon. 

Kids of all ages were invited to South Coast Plaza's Carousel Court where they were given art supplies and paper to create their letters.  507 letters were written in a four hour window of time.

"I know first hand how incredible it is to receive mail from when I was deployed in Iraq," said Team Kids Program Director Jamie "Doc" Havig.  "Nothing raises the spirits of our troops like a hand written letter from a child!"

"This project mobilized children from California to Virginia to send much deserved messages of appreciation to our troops serving abroad," said Team Kids Founder and CEO Julie Hudash.  "Our collaboration with Team Kids resulted in a record setting afternoon that benefits our troops.  That's very exciting!" added Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, Founder and Executive Director of Festival of Children Foundation.