Did you know that nearly 3,000 children are removed from their parents’ care for abuse or neglect in Orange County on any given day? The number is astoundingly tragic. But these children have hope, thanks to an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County). The non-profit organization trains community volunteers to serve as mentors and advocates for abused, abandoned, and neglected children.
I first learned about CASA through an event held each year at South Coast Plaza called Pumpkins & Pancakes. I’m deeply saddened that so many children are forced to relocate to group homes or foster placements. However, there is hope for these children, thanks to CASA. These volunteers provide a stable one-on-one relationship for the child, monitor the child’s circumstances and provide fact-based information to the court in the best interest of the child, and advocate for a safe, permanent home.
So what can you and I do? We can make a donation, volunteer, sponsor a child, and/or attend a fund-raising event such as Pumpkins & Pancakes. The annual Pumpkins & Pancakes Halloween Extravaganza raises over $50,000 to support CASA’s work with abused and neglected children. Here are the details for this weekend’s event:
Pumpkins & Pancakes will be held on Sunday, October 24th from 8 am to 11 am at the Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing of South Coast Plaza. Tickets are $30 per person ($35 at the door) or $25 for groups of 10 or more before October 22nd. All proceeds benefit CASA’s work.
Here is what you can expect at the event: Plum’s Cafe will cater a gourmet breakfast (with pancakes, of course!) and kids will enjoy face painting, balloon artists, and arts/crafts. The Radio Disney Road Crew will feature music, games contests, and prizes and there will be surprise character appearances by Wild Thing, Curious George, Madeline, Anaheim Ducks Wild Wing and more!
For more information, or to purchase a ticket, just visit their website.
No compensation was received for this post. I will be attending the event to provide coverage.
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