Spooky short stacks

Luis Pena

More than 1,000 parents and their little princesses and pirates

gathered at South Coast Plaza on Sunday to support volunteers who

work with abused and neglected children.

The 12th annual Pumpkins and Pancakes extravaganza was held to

support the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County. CASA

helps children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally

abused or neglected by their parents and then placed into the foster

care system, said Greg Bradbard, CASA director of development.

CASA trains adult volunteers to serve as mentors and advocates for

the children. A judge then assigns a volunteer to a specific child.

The CASA volunteers then monitor the children and they make

recommendations to the judges, attorneys and the social workers on

what is in the child’s best interest, Bradbard said.

More than 100 volunteers participated in the Pumpkins and Pancakes

event this year, Bradbard said. In addition to the breakfast of

pancakes, there was an animal show for the children.

“For [the children in the CASA program] to forget about their

troubles and just to come and have a wonderful time, it’s so

wonderful,” said Elizabeth Hart, co-chair of the event.

South Coast Plaza donated all of the food and the rentals for the

event this year, Hart said.

Anton Segerstrom of Corona del Mar came to the event because he

and his wife have two small children.

“This is a great costumed Halloween event because they are two

young to really trick-or-treat and it’s fun for them and they really

enjoy coming, so it’s a nice family outing,” Segerstrom said.

CASA already had a great event for children, but the addition of

cappuccino carts has made the event more parent-friendly, Segerstrom

said.

Maggie Kenney of Corona del Mar said that the Pumpkins and

Pancakes is an amazing event and that she thinks that South Coast

Plaza does a wonderful job with its involvement in the event. Kenney

said that she wouldn’t miss the event next year because it’s fun to

see everyone come out in costumes.

“I think it’s really fun, and I had a fun time dressing up with my

friends, and I loved the food,” said Athena Livadas, who attends

Eastbluff Elementary School in Newport Beach. She was dressed as a

ballerina.

The event brings volunteers from other organizations such as the

National Charity League, which is a mother and daughter philanthropic

organization.

Cindy Frazee, a volunteer with National Charity League, has

volunteered for the event for the last five years. She said she

enjoys seeing all of the children participating in all of the

Halloween festivities, even though she and her daughter Lauren Frazee

had to drive from Dana Point to South Coast Plaza at 7:15 a.m.

“I like to help out with the kids and be able to spend time with

them, and they’re all real cute in their costumes,” Lauren said.