Roundup

Published: 11/10/08 at 2:27 PM PST Section: Multimedia

Media Credit: Kiyomi Kikuchi Political science major Skyler Grant, 19, is having fun with a foster child Abraham, 7, in a bumper car at Santa Monica Pier during the 10th anniversary of Day of the Child. "I'm excited to meet my kid," Grant said. [Click to enlarge]

Birthday celebrations, Christmas and any other holidays that are meant for children are celebrated all together on the Day of the Child.

Children Uniting Nations (CUN) hosted their 10th annual Day of the Child at Santa Monica Pier on Sunday.

It was a day full of games, rides, food, live music performances and celebrity appearances.

Schools around the county including Pierce College provided and dedicated time to children living in foster care systems throughout Los Angeles County.

The event consisted of 1,200 foster children, 400 volunteers and 1,200 mentors.

Partially hosted by Maria Conchita Alonzo, the event had various speakers and live performances as well as entertainment throughout the whole day for both the children and the mentors.

Some celebrities came out to support the event. Actor Erik Estrada was one of the first to arrive.

"I'm here to shine some light and support for the Day of the Child," Estrada said. "If we would have had such an event in Harlem back in my days it would have been great. This helps children have role models and grow up to be good citizens."

The Day of the Child's 9th anniversary took place at Pierce on the football field.

"Last year when it was at Pierce we had such amazing feedback," said CUN board member Valerie Fitzgerald. "It was a tremendous success."

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