Karla Sorto
Birthday celebrations, Christmas and any other holidays that are meant for children are celebrated all together on the Day of the Child.
Children Uniting Nations (CUN) hosted their 10th annual Day of the Child at Santa Monica Pier on Sunday.
It was a day full of games, rides, food, live music performances and celebrity appearances.
Schools around the county including Pierce College provided and dedicated time to children living in foster care systems throughout Los Angeles County.
The event consisted of 1,200 foster children, 400 volunteers and 1,200 mentors.
Partially hosted by Maria Conchita Alonzo, the event had various speakers and live performances as well as entertainment throughout the whole day for both the children and the mentors.
Some celebrities came out to support the event. Actor Erik Estrada was one of the first to arrive.
“I’m here to shine some light and support for the Day of the Child,” Estrada said. “If we would have had such an event in Harlem back in my days it would have been great. This helps children have role models and grow up to be good citizens.”
The Day of the Child’s 9th anniversary took place at Pierce on the football field.
“Last year when it was at Pierce we had such amazing feedback,” said CUN board member Valerie Fitzgerald. “It was a tremendous success.”
CUN wanted to go back to the venue where they first started Day of the Child.
“Back then we were much smaller,” said Lola Leon, president of CUN. “Now, we have grown and Santa Monica Pier is a great facility. They have their own rides and plenty of room.”
Although somewhat windy and cold, Santa Monica provided a wonderful sunny view of the ocean.
Despite the 22-mile distance from Pierce to the pier, students managed to wake up early and arrive on time to mentor foster children.
Won Kim, 19-year-old philosophy major, said, “I came all the way from the Valley but I don’t care because this day is special for the children and it’s worth anything.”
Some students even brought their significant others to share the experience.
Jessica Romero, 24-year-old medical assistant, came to the Day of the Child for two reasons – one of which being that she enjoyed last year’s Day of the Child.
“The other reason that I’m excited to participate in this event is to share this experience with my husband,” Romero said. “That way we can offer our love to a less fortunate child.”
School buses brought 1,200 children from all over the county to be paired up with one or two mentors.
Mentors guided them to several vendors that were providing free school supplies and snacks.
Face painting, roller coasters, and dancing contest were also available for the children.
One of the event’s sponsors, former foster child Danny Griffin, spoke about his experiences and the obstacles he had to surpass in order to be where he is today.
“I would have never imagined that being a foster child I would ever be providing food from my own restaurant to an event which hits close to home,” Griffin said.
In the end, everyone had a great time.
“I’m very ecstatic to have had the opportunity to be part of this fun event,” said Singer Christina Milian, who has worked with CUN in the past as a big sister to foster children.
“The love and support we provide to these children last them a life time.”
Political science major Skyler Grant, 19, is having fun with a foster child Abraham, 7, in a bumper car at Santa Monica Pier during the 10th anniversary of Day of the Child. “I’m excited to meet my kid,” Grant said. ()
