September was national Child Awareness Month, and the Festival of Children Foundation aimed to honor it in style with its opening night party under the stars at South Coast Plaza’s Garden Terrace. The 450 guests, including political dignitaries, business and community leaders, and representatives from over 75 children’s charities, enjoyed designer dogs and microbrews, among other things, at the annual event.
“Our Opening Night Event is my way of thanking all the extraordinary nonprofit organizations doing great work on behalf of children. Small and large, they all deserve to be recognized and celebrated,” said Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder and executive director of Festival of Children Foundation.
The evening’s highlight was the presentation of the Foundation’s annual FRED Award (For Really Extraordinary “Do”ers). This year’s recipients were 12-year-old Martand Bhagavatula of Yorba Linda, founder of the nonprofit Kids and Smiles that helps organize events to benefit local hospitals, and longtime Festival of Children volunteer Heather Lucas.
“It is up to each and every one of us to work to make the world a better place for our children,” Daniels said.
