Kelly Goff / Roundup, Gil Riego Jr. / Roundup
A petting zoo, Tai the elephant, rock climbing, carnival rides and even a pee-wee circus training tent filled the normally quiet Shepard Stadium Sunday with foster children and their mentors taking advantage of the overcast day to bond over a little bit of fun as part of the annual Day of the Child event.
“We’ve been waiting in line the entire day, but it was time well spent [with] my wingman Diamond,” said Pierce College student, Cody Gagola, 19, as he and his child for the day, Diamond Baker, 8, waited in line to get their faces painted.
Kids and adults of all ages joined together to give back to foster children from all over Los Angeles County in attendance.
Celebrities, Marines and even Pierce President Robert Garber were present and enjoying conversations with mentors and children.
“We take the small things for granted,” said Gagola. “It’s a great way to give back and just show these kids that we care and I’m really learning a lot.”
“We hit up all the rides, and we’re having lots of fun,” said former U.S. Marine and current Pierce student William Banks, 52, a second-time mentor
Xavier Ramirez, 7, was his child for the day.
“I have 10 brothers and sisters,” said Xavier.
“Yeah, he does,” continued Banks.
“I love kids, and he’s wearing me out with him doing everything and me tagging along.”
The event, sponsored by Children Uniting Nations, an organization that coordinates charity, political and grassroots efforts to make foster or abandoned children a priority in communities around the world, is one of several annual Day of the Child events across the country.
According to Garber, most of the mentors for the program came out of Jim Dawson’s service learning class.
He said that as part of their class requirements, they had to becoming a mentor for the event as well as recruit two more volunteers.
Founder Daphna Edwards Ziman began the organization several years ago after an encounter with a 5-year-old girl in a homeless shelter made her see the importance of sheltering and supporting under-privileged youth.
“I feel like it’s the one day people can interact with these kids. Every year we rotate throughout the county. Now the kids know that Day of the Child is coming,” said Ziman.
In addition to the Pierce students and faculty, several celebrity supporters also came to lend a helping hand.
“It feels good to be out here. I myself am an adopted kid, so this feels good,” Black Eyed Pea’s group member apl.de.ap told the crowd before performing as part of the day’s entertainment.
Actress Maria Conchita Alonso said “you know, it’s something that we say all the time, ‘the children are our future,’ but it’s true.”
