Orange : Orangewood Retires $1-Million Debt

The final payment was made this week to retire a $1-million debt for the construction of Orangewood, the county shelter for abused and neglected children, officials said.

William G. Steiner, executive director of the Orangewood Foundation, said payment of the final $30,000 to six Orange County banks concluded an $8-million fund-raising effort that began in 1980.

Orangewood, which was dedicated in November, 1985, provides shelter to 2,600 abused and neglected children a year. The shelter--which has 170 beds, a cafeteria, gymnasium, playground and classrooms--cost $8 million to build.

The initial $7 million was raised mostly from private contributions, among them a $1-million gift from builder William Lyon, chairman of the Orangewood Foundation. The county also provided 20% of the construction funds.

The final payment was made after the Orange Blossom Ball last week, a gala fund-raiser for the foundation.

“Orangewood is now debt free,” said Kathryn Thompson, who was chairwoman of the event.

Steiner said the Orangewood Foundation will now concentrate on child abuse, recruitment of foster parents and building up a recently established trust fund that aids former Orangewood residents.