Advocacy - month by month
August - Kaitlyn's Law
Kaitlyn's Law is a California law making it illegal to leave children six-years and younger in a car unattended- aiming to prevent heat-related deaths and ensure safety.
VanderMolen PTA selects a day where we wear purple in honor of Kaitlyn and to serve as a reminder to never leave a child in a car alone. Not even for a minute.
September - Childhood Cancer Awareness
September is recognized as childhood cancer awareness month nationally. It was organized by major childhood cancer organizations to spread awareness and funding for children diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
VanderMolen PTA selects a day where we wear gold/yellow to bring awareness to pediatric cancer.
Childhood cancer affects everyone in the family and doesn't end at the close of September. Children's Hospital OC and LA are both local hospitals that VanderMolen PTA collaborates with. If you feel inclined, please donate to their wish list. All donations will go directly to the hospital and will benefit children being treated.
October - Unity day
October is National Anti-bullying Month - a time where we practice kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Unity day is a day where we wear orange and spread the acts of kindness around us.
October - Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week is a part of a national campaign to pledge to be drug free. It is the oldest and longest running drug prevention campaign in the nation.
VanderMolen PTA celebrates and reminds students to take this life-long pledge by fun spirit days.
November - Food insecurity
In 2024, food insecurity affected nearly 14 million children in the United States alone. There are over 100,000 children living with food insecurity in Riverside County.
We can all do our part, little by little, and VanderMolen PTA annually hosts a food drive to help send food to families that need it most.
December - Toy Drive
December is a time where children and families find magic in the air, but there are so many that are without.
VanderMolen PTA annually hosts a toy drive to send new, unwrapped toys to children and families in the area that need a little help in finding that magic.
January - Mentoring
January is mentoring month, where mentors promote the importance of mentoring and encouraging others to become mentors.
VanderMolen PTA connects with student leaders to encourage mentoring.
February - Heart Health
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in men and women. February is National Heart Month and VanderMolen PTA promotes this month by encouraging our school community to wear red and practice good cardiovascular activities.
March - Love of Literacy
Reading opens up the world for people and March is famous for Read Across America. A week where students are encouraged to pick up a book and read for fun.
VanderMolen PTA proudly co-hosts Family Literacy Night with VanderMolen Elementary and hosts craft rooms, books, and reading for families to share in the love of literacy.
March - World Down Syndrome Day
April 21 is World Down Syndrome Day to bring awareness to down syndrome and to promote inclusion.
We honor this day by wearing mis-matched, crazy or our boldest socks to remind us all that we are different, but the same.
April - Child Abuse Prevention
Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual and national observance dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse.
VanderMolen PTA collaborates with the Caring Center on campus to plant pinwheels for prevention.
Because every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment that is free from abuse and neglect.