Orange : Orangewood Honors Volunteers, Donors

The Orangewood Children’s Foundation on Thursday honored volunteers and donors who have contributed $120,000 to benefit abused and neglected children in the county.

Jim McNamara, who headed the effort, said an air flight, foot races, and contests were conducted during the past week to raise the money. The honorees were recognized at an informal presentation at Orangewood, the county’s center for abused and neglected children.

Bill Steiner, the new executive director of the foundation, said about $600,000 is still owed on Orangewood, a $7.5-million facility that was inaugurated last November. He said other projects are planned to help retire the debt.

“We not only need to pay off a construction loan, but we have to work on child abuse prevention, foster parent recruitment and in meeting the needs of children once they leave Orangewood,” Steiner said.