Fun for kids here helps orphans there
Lolita Harper
Spring has sprung and rides at the Newport Coast Spring Fling flung
children left and right Saturday to raise money for orphans in
Mexico.
Newport Coast Cares hosted its first “Spring Fling” fund-raiser, a
carnival in the parking lot of the area shopping center, to benefit
the Corazon de Vida Foundation, an organization that raises money for
orphaned children in Baja California, Mexico.
Shrieks of laughter could be heard from the swing ride, as the
children circling high above waved their dangling feet. Brave “future
officers” roamed the space, with sticker badges from the Newport
Beach Police Department. Children bounced off of each other in the
sumo wrestling ring.
And hundreds of children in Baja will be fed because of the
festivities.
“We have over 300 people, and it’s not even 1 p.m.,” said Jim
McAleer, executive director of Corazon de Vida. “This is fabulous,
considering the weather.”
Gloomy gray skies did not dampen the spirits of the Newport Coast
residents visiting the various booths. The carnival offered tons of
fun with Laser Tag, a large inflatable slide, rock climbing, pony
rides, a petting zoo, sumo wrestling, food, drinks, a police display
and more. Children hurried excitedly from station to station.
“There is just so much love and good energy here,” Newport Coast
Cares co-founder Laura Giffin said.
The rides and games weren’t just for the youngsters. Adults had
their share of revelry at the carnival.
David Janes stood in the middle of the event posing proudly in a
red Speedo. Well, the Speedo was part of the sumo wrestler suit he
was wearing, which inflated so its wearer could bounce around an
opponent.
It was for a good cause, and his big smile indicated his
amusement.
Newport Coast Cares co-founder BergitteTehranchi got in on the
dress-up action, as she paraded around the carnival in a flowing
skirt, peasant top and floral crown, as the May Fairy.
“I am blowing all the gray clouds away,” she said.
All around were large posters of the children from the orphanages
in Baja Mexico. Their smiling faces and dancing brown eyes
illustrated the mission of the carnival.
“We keep their images up to remind them that this is really about
helping other kids,” Giffin said.
McAleer said the Newport Coast Cares group is one of the best to
work with -- and he works with organizations all over Southern
California. The generosity of the Newport Coast residents is
unmatched, from ticket sales to sponsorships.
Nearly every retailer in the Newport Coast shopping center donated
generously to the cause, he said. About 75 volunteers also pitched in
man hours to put the event together.
“They make my job so easy,” McAleer said.
In the fall, the Newport Coast Cares group helped raise more than
$25,000 for Corazon de Vida Foundation with its Halloween festival.
This year, the Spring Fling was added to their arsenal to fight
hunger at the orphanages in Baja. The tradition of giving back is
something they plan to continue, Giffin said.
“The people in this community are just great,” Giffin said. “Their
energy and spirit is just awesome. It is amazing what you can do when
you get people together. You can move mountains.”
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