Festival of Children back at South Coast Plaza

The annual, monthlong event aims to raise awareness of youth issues and funds for foundation, in part through special fundraiser on the carousel.

“If you’ve been doing a little shopping at South Coast Plaza and noticed the children’s arts and crafts and live performances near the carousel, that’s because it’s September.

And thanks to Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, the founder and executive director of the Festival of Children Foundation, this month has been designated by Congress as National Child Awareness Month for the fifth year in a row.

The foundation began more than 10 years ago to connect children’s organizations with one another, helping them expand their resources and maximize benefits.

“We support on the backside,” Daniels said. “We go and pull resources for their benefit.”

Today, the foundation provides resources to nearly 500 children’s organizations nationwide, raises awareness about issues facing youth and provides grants.

Each year, during the monthlong festival at the shopping center, community members and stakeholders who support the foundation gather to ride on the carousel with their cell phones, calling everyone they know to donate.

And once you’re on the Carousel of Possible Dreams, you can’t get off unless you’ve reached your self-determined goal, Daniels said. This year’s fundraiser is scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and will benefit five Orange County organizations, including America On Track and Thomas House Temporary Shelter, according to the foundation.

Each year, the number of organizations that join the foundation grows…”

To read the rest of this article, please go to DailyPilot.com. For more information on the foundation or activities during the festival, go to http://www.festivalofchildren.org.