Nonprofit benefits from Halloween fun

Andrew Edwards

With a band of fake rifle rounds slung in a belt across his chest,

Wills Johnson stood in his green, camouflage uniform with his parents

and Minnie Mouse.

“I am a secret force,” the 7-year-old said after having his

picture taken with the cartoon character.

Wills’ bullets and a knife stashed in his Halloween bag were only

plastic replicas, but the junior soldier had everything he needed to

complete the day’s mission: fun.

For the hundreds of children who attended the 13th annual Pumpkins

and Pancakes event Sunday at South Coast Plaza, having a good time

was the plan. Children decked out as ghouls, ninjas, princesses and

pirates ate a big pancake breakfast with their parents before

unleashing their creativity at arts-and-crafts tables. They also

watched an exotic animal show and participated in costume contests.

Event organizers had larger goals in mind. The annual fundraiser

is designed to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange

County, a nonprofit that enlists local volunteers to guide abused

children who have been placed in the county’s foster care system.

The organizers raked in a little less than $44,000, said Greg

Bradbard, the nonprofit’s director of development.

Volunteer Steve Kittell of Laguna Beach attended the breakfast

with the teenager he volunteers with. Kittell and the young man,

whose name was withheld, spend time together planning for life after

the teen’s emancipation from foster care. Kittell and his partner,

who aspires to work as a gym teacher or coach, often discuss ways to

find a post-high school job and get into college.

“You go to it thinking you’re going to do good for one kid, and

you end up learning yourself and growing yourself, just having fun,”

Kittell said.

At the arts-and-crafts tables, children created an array of

original, spooky designs. CeCe Karol, 4, dressed like Dorothy from

“The Wizard of Oz,” used watercolors to begin her Halloween-themed

painting.

“I’m making a monster with lots of glitter on top,” she said.