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Who Are the PALS?
Orangewood PALS (Providing Assistance, Love, and Support), formed in 1996 as an auxiliary of the Orangewood Children's Foundation, is a group of energetic, influential and dedicated professionals who have joined together to fight child abuse and neglect in Orange County. Orangewood PALS' goal is to support on-going activities at the Orangewood Children's Home, fund scholarships, provide mentoring, and be positive role models for current and former foster youth.
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Chairman's Letter:
First of all, I want to commend everyone who contributed to the success of the Athletes First event in March. It raised over $330,000! A few weeks prior to the event we were luckly enough to have Athletes First rookie football players attend a PALS Speaker Night. They signed autographs and answered questions from the kids like, "How fast do you run?","How big is your house?", and "Are you friends with everyone here?" I am not sure who enjoyed it more - the volunteers, the athletes, or the kids.
PALS volunteers are amazing dedicating time at PALS Speaker Nights, attending PALS field trips, and helping with our fund raising events! It is an honor to serve on a board with such dedicated individuals who constantly impress me with their time, creativity, enthusiasm, and with such big hearts.
Thank you for being a part of PALS! It is more appreciated than you can imagine as we see major cutbacks in government grant support, reductions in corporate donations, and strained individual giving. Unfortunately child abuse incidents increase as the economy worsens, but your efforts help us secure the safety net under these innocent victims.
PALS Chair,
Marty Dutch
PS: Please save the date for PALS Fun Day on August 15, 2009 at the Orangewood Children's Home. |
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Athletes First Classic Scores a Touchdown
Honorees' Bill Thompson and John Lynch Keri Dugan and Mark Sanchez
This year's Athletes First Classic was an amazing two-day extravaganza with some 600 plus guests of superstar athletes, top celebrities, and notable business and community leaders. Over 55 NFL athletes flew in from around the country to attend, such as Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts), Matt Cassel (Kansas City Chiefs), Brandon Jacobs (New York Giants), Wes Welker (New England Patriots), and Brandon Meriweather (New England Patriots). The annual charity gala and golf event at the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach honored NFL great John Lynch and PIMCO's recently retired William Thompson, who each received the 2009 Golden Heart Award. The event featured the area's finest live and silent auctions items that helped raised over $330,000 for Orangewood, including $116,500 in scholarship donations. The live auction featured one-of-a-kind items including a trip for two to the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami (including airfare, lodging parties, and game tickets) that raised over $17,000 and a seven night stay at Casa De Golf, a two-story, eight-suite villa in Costa Rica that sold twice for $15,000 each. Other items included: a golf outing with NFL rookie and former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez and Matt Cassel; a VIP package featuring sideline passes for the 2009 USC football season; Costa Rica and Punta Mita luxury vacations; and the ultimate Kentucky Derby Millionaire Experience.
The Athletes First Classic was an amazing event that came together with the generous support of many attendees and sponsors. Major Super Bowl Sponsors included the Argyros Foundation and Robert and Susie Barth; Conference Championship sponsors included Advanced Medical Optics and Brand Affinity Technologies; and other Wild Card Sponsors included 3Dee, International Phil Belling, Etchandy Farms, HUB International / Chubb, Dick & Bo Marconi, PIMCO, Quiksilver, Dave Ritchie, and Windjammer Capital Investors.
 
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Youth Events:
Orangewood PALS volunteers participate in a variety of youth related events at the Orangewood Children's Home and with former foster youth throughout the year. In January, Orangewood PALS hosted their annual Snow Day with 25 tons of snow at the Orangewood Children's home. The kids were given mittens and a bright orange saucer to slide down the two slopes that were built on the grass. Snowmen, snowball fights and hot chocolate were the hit of the day.
In March, Orangewood turned prom dreams into reality for over 200 young women at Belle of the Ball. Partnering with Women Helping Women and Girls Incorporated of Orange County, Orangewood provided dresses, purses, shoes, and evening accessories to the girls who were also pampered with hair, make-up, and special tailored fittings. In addition, they attended an inspirational workshop on how to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold." |
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Speaker Nights:
On the second Tuesday of every month join PALS and the children of Orangewood Children's Home as we listen to an inspirational speaker followed by fun activities and tasty treats. Past speakers include: Bill Thompson (CEO, PIMCO), Phoenix Stanaza (Ms. Newport Beach), Jesse Billauer (Founder, Life Rolls on Foundation and ex-pro surfer), and many more.
On January 13, Local Major League Baseball great Jim Abbott spoke about overcoming his own personal obstacles to achieve great success in his life. Abbott is a former baseball player who, despite being born without a right hand, went on to become a successful collegiate, Olympic and Major League Baseball pitcher. Abbott stressed to the children to "believe in yourself and your own way of doing things. Don't get discouraged if it takes you longer than others to achieve your goals." He also encouraged the kids to make the most of what they have and that difficult times will make them stronger.
A special thank you also goes out to the athletes who spoke to the kids at the Orangewood Home in February, who spent the evening playing basketball, bingo,crafts and signing autographs for every child.
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Social Events:
On April 25th the International Bacchus Society hosted their annual Spring Bacchanalia at the OC Pavilion. Orangewood PALS was one of three organizations that benefited from the event. Thank you to Steve Bender for organizing this event and including PALS!
Remember to check the Orangewood PALS website for the next event "you won't want to miss!"
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Tuesday, May 12: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, June 9: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 14: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 11: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, August 15: Fun Day at Children's Home, 8:30 am - 12 pm
Tuesday, September 15: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 13: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Tuesday, November 10: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Saturday, November 14: Aquarium Tour, 9:30 am - 2pm
Tuesday, December 8: Speaker Night, 6 - 8:30 pm
Calendar subject to change. Please visit www.orangewoodpals.org or call 714-619-0237 | |
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