Costa Mesa chapter, Stand Up for Kids treated to a ‘Hondaween’ party
Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley was among the 24 pumpkin patches across Southern California where a Helpful Hondaween Celebration was held. The helpful guys/girls in blue visited nonprofits by hosting parties to surprise youths who might normally miss out on the holiday.
The Helpful Honda people provided a pumpkin to each participating kid along with complimentary costumes and pails filled with treats. They also engaged them in fun activities such as arts and crafts and pumpkin decorating.
On Friday, the Helpful Hondaween Celebration focused on the Costa Mesa chapter of Stand Up for Kids, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on ending youth homelessness.
According to the Stand Up for Kids website, there are an estimated 31,000 homeless and housing insecure youths between 12 and 24 years of age in Orange County.
According to Laura Baldwin Henkels, fundraising and marketing manager for the local Stand Up for Kids chapter, this was the organization’s third year participating in the Hondaween Celebration. She talked about how buying a pumpkin at the store is something most people take for granted, but when you don’t have money for food it’s a big deal.
“The kids that we help are at risk are homeless or housing insecure aging from 12- to 24-years-old. They live in cars or streets, motels and some live on their own,” said Henkels. “We help them navigate through the system and eligible county services, like Cal Fresh. We arrange their study program, bus pass, school, tutoring, job placement, sober living services, clothing, mentoring services, a place to live and every Friday we provide grocery delivery to their house.”
Destin Judy, communications representative for the Southern California Honda Dealers Assn., said that because Stand Up for Kids is an inspiration and has a positive impact on youth, they were honored to bring them random acts of helpfulness this Halloween, with costumes, face-masks and their very own pumpkin.
“It warms our hearts to see these children smile and that’s why we do what we do, our goal is simply bring joy to very deserving kids,” said Judy. “Honda will be accepting personal holiday wishes on Facebook in mid-November since a lot of people need help now and that’s what we’ll be focusing on this holiday season.”
Dina Silva, 18, has been a recipient of the Stand Up for Kids services for five years.
“The organization helps me in all aspects of life and school,” said Silva. “They helped me with personal life problems I have on a day-to-day [basis].”
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.
