Volunteers are needed for PALS kids’ events to:

1. Serve on planning committees
2. Help with set-up and clean up
3. Attend and play with or interact with the children and youth
4. Underwrite the cost of an event. 
   Click here for more details on sponsorship opportunities.
   
   Monthly Speaker Nights
   2nd Tuesday of the Month, 6:00 – 8:30 P.M.
   
   Speaker night is a fun and casual way for volunteers to directly interact with the children at Orangewood Children’s Home.  Once a month PALS brings motivational, educational or inspirational speakers to talk to the children at the Home.  Past speakers have included professional athletes, firemen, police officers and successful business owners – many of whom have overcome their own personal obstacles to achieve success in their lives.  After the speaker the children join the PALS volunteers for fun-filled activities such as arts and crafts, bingo, basketball, and ice-cream sundaes.
   
   Monthly Kids’ Events
   Dates & Times Vary (see Kids’ Event calendar) [link to “2007 PALS Kids Event Calendar” file]
   Each month PALS members arrange fun-filled outings at various Orange County locations for the children placed at Orangewood Children’s Home.  These have included trips to ball games, pizza parties, museum tours, amusement parks and zoos.
   
   Annual “Fun Day”
   August
   
   This special day held at the Orangewood Children’s Home in August offers the children a festive, carnival atmosphere with activities, entertainment, clowns, hair and nail salons, dunk tanks, bounce houses, and other fun-filled activities.  The children also enjoy popcorn, snow cones, and soft drinks throughout the day.  Fun Day ends with lunch and ice-cream sundaes.
   
   Rising Tide Youth Events
   Quarterly
   
   Rising Tide is a program of Orangewood Children’s Foundation that offers motivated former foster youth affordable, quality housing and a supportive, goal-directed community to help them successfully transition into adulthood.  Most of these youth don’t have the benefit of a supportive family during this challenging time.  Once each quarter PALS treats the Rising Tide youth, ages 18-21, to a special evening.  PALS members interact with the youth while enjoying dinner and an outing such as a play, comedy show or musical event.
   
   Independent Living Program (ILP) Events
   Dates & Times Vary (see Kids’ Event calendar)
   
   The Foundation’s Independent Living Program provides workshops, special events and support services to foster youth ages 16-21 in four key areas (education, career, relationships, and daily living ) to help prepare them for emancipation.  PALS members volunteer at several ILP events including “Cinderellas for Life” prom dress event and Independent City (both in March this year), and Career Fair (date TBD).  PALS also hosts an annual ILP Beach Party.