Governor to speak at Orangewood foundation

Firestorms raging across Southern California apparently won’t stop Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger from expressing his love for local children’s charity Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

Although the governor has had his hands full this week dealing with a major natural disaster, officials at the foundation said Wednesday they still expected Schwarzenegger to fulfill a prior obligation to speak at a luncheon Friday in Costa Mesa to honor philanthropic partners of the charity. The philanthropists support the foundation’s work with local foster children and teenagers.

Schwarzenegger is expected to speak on his commitment to children at the event. Organizers expect about 700 to attend the luncheon Friday at the Costa Mesa Hilton.

The annual event is an important fundraiser for Orangewood. Donations generated from this year’s luncheon are expected to exceed $275,000.

— Brianna Bailey