Access Blogs
Shaun Shares Her Heart With Some Special Kids
"This is the best day of my life!" Little Jose was absolutely thrilled and he kept reminding me over and over again. "I'm having the best time!" "This is great!" he yelled.
This was one of those very special assignments for me - one that I will remember for a long time.
I am honored to be the spokesperson for the Los Angeles County, "Share Your Heart, Share Your Home" program. Our goal is to encourage people to become adoptive parents - to give children who have spent so much time in foster care a permanent home. This assignment could not have been a better fit for me. Together, with the help of Access Hollywood producers, Susan Moore, Mark Noble and Shelly Aguilar, we arranged for 7 children from LA County's foster care system to become Hollywood stars and walk the red carpet at the premiere of Disney's new animated 3-D movie, "Meet The Robinsons". (Hence the last name.)
There was charming little 10-year-old Jose who says the girls love to rub the hair on his crew cut. Adorable siblings, Sophia, Sierra, and Gabriel who just began living together after being in separate foster homes. Little Gregory who is very active and loves to draw. 12-year-old Wesley who can teach anyone a thing or two about cards. And, 15-year-old Clay who is a beautiful sophisticated young lady.
We picked the children up in the morning, gave them a ride in a chauffeur-driven town car which they thought was so neat. Next, we piled everyone into a luxury bus and handed out gifts bags that were filled with memorabilia from the movie - hats, pins, puzzles, coloring books, and 3-D glasses to take with them to the movie.
On our way to the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, I gave them a little talk about posing in front of photographers on the red carpet and how to act as a pretend Robinson for a day. As soon as we got out of the bus, they were jumping for joy. There were hundreds of people outside, photographers, lights, characters from the movie -all of which could have been overwhelming for kids who are not use to such fanfare but my little "Robinsons" all acted like pros.
Then, we all piled into the theater, where there was free popcorn and soft drinks and an entire row reserved just for us in the theater. The kids had been waiting patiently to wear their 3-D glasses - some even wore them on the red carpet.
After the movie, which all the kids loved, there was a HUGE party thrown by Disney in the back of the El Capitan Theatre. They were bungee jumping, blowing bubbles, racing in big plastic bubbles, and eating tons of food and having the best time of their lives.
Sunday was great but Monday is going to be a different story. Lewis, the main character in "Meet the Robinsons" is looking for a permanent home himself. And like in the movies, he finds one. But, in real life, for these children, each day is another day of waiting and hoping that someone will want to give them a permanent place to call home. These children are so sweet but they are, what the foster care system calls, "hard to place". Not because they are bad children, but because they are older or want to live with their brothers and sisters.
If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more about adoption, call the Los Angeles County Share Your Heart, Share Your Home program at (888) 811-1121 or click here for more information.
Hi Shaun,
I am sitting here crying like a fool just because I am so happy to see and read your article. The 12 year old you took to this event, Wesley, is the brother of my two daughters, who I adopted from foster care. At the time I didn't know Wesley existed. Since we met him, we spend as much time as possible with him. He called Friday night to let us know he couldn't go to church with us on Sunday because he had an "adoption event" to go to. Little did we know it was a movie premiere. I know it made his day, and I thank you for this. I am working hard to find him a family and appreciate your kindness to him and giving him such a wonderful time.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Boss
Hello,
We wanted to let you know the Theory dress that Shaun Robinson wore on "Access Hollywood" is currently up for auction along with the gowns, shoes, and make-up looks from the recent MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show at:
www.clothesoffourback.org along with other celebrity items.
Proceeds benefit children's charities. Please bid and pass along the information.
The auction for Shaun’s dress ends April 17th & the auction for the items from the MAX Factor Salutes Hollywood Fashion Show end April 5th.
Thank you!
Clothes Off Our Back
Hello shaun
i just wanted to say thank you for granting these kids a day they will remember forever. i am 20 years old and i had been in the foster system since the age of four. it is nice to see that people care about foster kids and more focuse is being put on them.
Hi Shaun: It is really a pleasure to hear that you support these kids, just last week we were trying to adopt a kid here in Hesperia, so we are in the process of doing that. Whenever you need decorations for an event let me know, that I can provide them for free. I have a christmas decorating business, but I will be glad to donate my services to causes like these. Please write me.
very interesting, but I don't agree with you
Idetrorce