August 14th, 2012 
(photo credit: Marisa Guzman-Aloia and Michael Calaway)
For the last 12 summers P.S. I Love You Foundation has hosted Day at the Beach “Adopt a Child for One Day Community Outreach Event for at-risk kids in Los Angeles. It’s a day filled with laughter, joy and a multitude of activities for 100′s of disadvantaged kids who are paired with caring, pre-registered volunteers.
(photo credit: Marisa Guzman-Aloia and Michael Calaway)
Upon arrival to their spot in the sand at Manhattan Beach this year, the children and mentors were provided with all the needed items for their day of fun, sun and friendship. They received t-shirts, boogie boards to ride the waves, food and drinks to refuel, and toys. The kids even got backpacks filled with school items for the upcoming school year. And then, the festivities were off! Hundreds of kids and volunteers indulged in face painting, surf lessons, make-up lessons, relay races accompanied by a band, flying kites, building sandcastles, playing tug-of-war, playing catch and even unwinding with relaxing chair massages. It was a day of positive energy that brought great people together and put a lot of love in everyone’s hearts!
P.S. I Love You, the foundation responsible for this wonderful event, was founded by Patricia Jones in 1998. While working in the medical equipment industry Patricia met a woman named Millie who was forced to quit her job in order to take care of her 5 grandchildren and keep them out of Foster Care. Patricia in turn reached out to Millie and her family. She took care of the kids on the weekends to give Millie some rest. She provided clothing, food and other financial assistance, and soon engaged the outside community to pitch in as well. It was through this experience that Patricia realized in a profound manner that she was capable of facilitating real positive change in people’s lives within her community, and was inspired to begin P.S. I Love You. In addition to running A Day at the Beach each summer, P.S. I Love You provides after school and in school programs that teach k-5 kids yoga, a variety of sports and global awareness. They also offer middle school and high school programs that support kids’ social, emotional and academic growth, as well as provide internships in the workplace. It is through these programs that P.S. I Love You offers at-risk kids the opportunity to build self-awareness and esteem, emotional strength, sportsmanship, leadership, healthy habits, aspirations, and so much more.
(photo credit: Marisa Guzman-Aloia and Michael Calaway)
A Day at the Beach “Adopt a Child for a Day” Community Outreach Event is a fun and powerful way to get involved in affecting positive change within the Los Angeles community and to alleviate, if even for a day, some of the struggle that our kids endure within their lives. A day of fun, laughter and play can light up just about anyone’s heart!
(photo credit: Marisa Guzman-Aloia and Michael Calaway)
