Thursday, July 15, 2004

By STEPHANIE SCORDIA
Seaside Signal
scordia@seasidesignal.com

Project Pinwheel Raises Public Awareness

SEASIDE — On Friday, July 9, visitors to the beach at Seaside were greeted by nearly 9,000 pinwheels spinning in the breeze.

The colorful pinwheel garden was, in fact, a fundraiser called Project Pinwheel.

For $2, people had the chance to help support FosterClub, the national resource network for youth in foster care.

"It's been really fun to see kids walk through and select their pinwheels," said Celeste Bodner, Executive Director of FosterClub.

The morning began early for the 30 or so FosterClub staff members and volunteers. At 6 a.m., they were out on the beach in front of the Turnaround, planting a rainbow garden of pinwheels.

"[Miss Oregon Pageant coordinator] Dana Phillips approached us about wanting to get involved with the project," Bodner said, adding that there were Miss Oregon contestants on hand that morning to help 'plant' the pinwheel garden.

Also, each of the Miss Oregon contestants designed large pinwheels that were auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting FosterClub.

Bodner spoke about the concept behind Project Pinwheel, saying "We wanted to do a public awareness campaign about the number of kids in foster care, and the pinwheel is symbolic of a carefree childhood."

8,966 pinwheels in all: one for every child in foster care in he state of Oregon. The pinwheels, like the children they represent, came in different sizes and colors.

The FosterClub All Stars were on-hand to oversee the pinwheel garden.

This summer, six college students are working as interns at FosterClub.

Separately, they are Ashley Foster, Linda Marie Pettus, Sharde Armstrong, George Rocha, Kym Mintz, and Dozer Smith, but together they are known as the FosterClub All Stars.

In addition to working on Project Pinwheel, these former foster kids travel to different states with the FosterClub Teen Conference.

Each was selected to act as a role model for foster children coming out of the foster care system, to help with the transition from foster care into adulthood.

The All Stars are between the ages of 18 and 21, and come from all over the country.

"They're a really talented group," Bodner said.

And what do the All Stars think of Project Pinwheel?

"It's a great way to raise public awareness," Pettus said.

"A number isn't as effective as a visual, and the pinwheels are a powerful visual," Foster added.

Project Pinwheel succeeded in raising approximately $3,000 for FosterClub, and, perhaps more importantly, helped raise people's awareness about foster care.

For more information on FosterClub and to learn how you can get involved, visit www.fosterclub.com; or call 503-717-1552.