Community Foundation of Orange

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Community Foundation of Orange

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The Community Foundation of Orange is a local 501 (c)(3) organization, dedicated to providing programs and services for those in the greater Orange community.

10/15/2026

BE PART OF SOMETHING MEANINGFUL. VOLUNTEER FOR THE ORANGE FIELD OF VALOR.

Behind every flag is a story. Behind every tribute is a hero. And behind the Orange Field of Valor is a community coming together to honor the men and women who have served our nation.

We need YOU to help bring this powerful experience to life!

As a Field of Valor volunteer, you’ll help visitors find their loved ones’ flags, share the meaning behind the Field, assist with flag tributes, and welcome guests who come to remember, reflect, and honor our heroes. Sometimes, the smallest act of kindness—a helping hand, a shared story, or a moment of connection—can make the biggest difference.

Most of our current volunteer needs are during the week, with multiple shifts available each day. Whether you can give a few hours or several days, your time will help ensure every visitor feels welcomed and every tribute is honored.

Sign up here: https://www.communityfoundationoforange.org/2026fieldofvalor

10/12/2026

FACES OF THE FIELD: 23 Heroes, Never Forgotten.

Among the thousands of flags that stand in tribute at the Orange Field of Valor, we remember 23 soldiers from the City of Orange who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

Each had a name. Each had a family, a story, and a future that was never fulfilled. Their courage and sacrifice will forever be part of our community’s history.

As we honor their lives, may we never forget the 23 heroes who gave everything for our freedom. Come, pay tribute to them. You'll find their flags in the first section to the left of the center aisle, Rows 15 and 16 near the center of the Field. (Photo is PFC Rene August Zimmerele)

PFC Joseph Aguirre, SP4 Neal Vincent Bainter, SGT Dennis Wayne Baxley,
WO Michael Lee Bradley, SP4 Raymond Nelson Curley, PFC Michael Walter Kolemainen, SP4 Larry Kenneth Leimbach, SP4 Dwight Jed Minniear,
PFC Dennis Eugene Naylor, PFC John Michael Phillips, SGT Kenneth Tilden Rabey,
SP4 David Arthur Rosenberger, SGT Francis Louis Souza, SP4 Gary Alan Stading,
PVT Jackie Dean Stogsdill, PVT Robert James Todd, PFC Raul John Vargas,
PFC John Wesley Walker, CPL William John Waysack, SGT Bobby West,
LCPL Russell Udell West, CPT William Joseph White, Jr., PFC Rene August Zimmerele

10/07/2026

ONE MONTH.

One month from today, more than 1,200 American flags will stand together at Handy Park.

One month until we begin reading the names. One month until families find the flag of someone they love.

One month until Veterans walk through a Field created in their honor. and one one month until Orange comes together to say:

We remember. We honor. We are grateful.

The 12th Annual Orange Field of Valor opens Saturday, Nov. 7. Will we see you there?

(photo credit to Jon Haverstick)

10/07/2026

🇺🇸 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT THE FIELD! 🇺🇸

The Field of Valor needs YOU! Help us honor our veterans and active-duty military by volunteering during the week. (Nov. 7th-12th)

Volunteers 18+ are needed for multiple shifts each day to help:

🇺🇸 Sell flag tributes
🇺🇸 Help visitors find their flags
🇺🇸 Welcome and assist guests
🇺🇸 Share the story of the Field
🇺🇸 Help with various jobs around the Field

Have a few hours to give? Your time can make a meaningful difference.

🇺🇸 TEARDOWN — NOVEMBER 12

Volunteers 15+ are needed to help us take down the Field. The more hands, the better!

Come volunteer. Be part of the Field. Help us honor those who serve. 🇺🇸

👉 Sign up for a volunteer shift today!
https://www.communityfoundationoforange.org/2026fieldofvalor

10/02/2026

Bring them.

Bring your children. Bring your grandchildren.

Let them walk among the flags. Let them read the names. Let them ask questions.

Tell them who served. Tell them what was sacrificed. Tell them why Veterans Day is more than a day off from school.

Because someday, they will be the ones responsible for remembering.

The Orange Field of Valor isn't only about honoring our past, it's about teaching the next generation to carry those stories forward.

November 7-12, Handy Park in Orange.

09/28/2026

Orange Field of Valor~Sponsor a Flag

Their service deserves more than our gratitude. It deserves to be remembered.

Honor a Veteran, active-duty service member or someone who gave their life in service to our country with a flag at the 2026 Orange Field of Valor.

Each full-sized American flag will stand proudly at Handy Park with a personalized tribute sharing the story of the person you choose to honor. Flag tributes are $35 for one year, or $90 for three years.

And when the Field opens on Nov.7th, bring your family to the Field and we will help you find their flag among more than 1,200 others.
https://www.communityfoundationoforange.org/2026fieldofvalor

09/26/2026

FACES OF THE FIELD: The Faces of Freedom Project is a simple effort to say "Thank you for your service" to our US military veterans through pro bono professional portraiture. Since 2011, Jon Haverstick has amassed over 300 portraits. Finished portraits include the veteran’s name, rank, branch, years and theater of service, and are made available for download for each veteran’s personal use.

In conjunction with the Opening Ceremonies of the Orange Field of Valor, Jon Haverstick will be doing new portraits for the Faces of Freedom Project from 11:30 AM- 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 7th. Selected prints from the project will also be on display throughout the week.

Thank you Jon, for being a part of our event. The Faces of Freedom Project

09/24/2026

Why the Field Matters...

It is more than a field of flags.

It is a place to remember. A place to tell stories.

A place where a child can learn about a grandparent's service. A place where a Veteran can stand among more than 1,200 reminders that their service has not been forgotten.

And sometimes, it is simply a quiet place to heal.

This is the Orange Field of Valor. November 7-12 at Handy Park in Orange.

Come walk the Field. Come remember with us.

09/24/2026

Orange Field of Valor~our special events!

Each year at the Field of Valor, we host several special events, in addition to the (almost) week long display of flags, each honoring a veteran, active duty service member, or someone who gave their life in service to our country. This year is no different.

Saturday, Nov. 7th @ 11:30 am: Opening Ceremonies ~free, open to all, and followed by a BBQ hosted by our own Orange City Firefighters, who have come out faithfully every year to serve our community. We'll be handing out a special 250th semiquincentennial (try spelling that one) Challenge Coin to all veterans in attendance.

Tuesday, Nov. 10th @ 11:00 am: Marine Corps Birthday celebration in partnership with the Orange Police Department, complete with cake and recognition of all Marines in attendance. Free, open to all Marines, their families, friends, neighbors, new acquaintances, and basically anyone who wants to come celebrate the 251st birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Again, we'll be handing out a special semiquincentennial Challenge Coin to all veterans in attendance.

Wednesday, Nov. 11th @ 11 am: Our Veterans Day reflection. An opportunity to remember and celebrate all our veterans, who bravely served our country. We'll have the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month reflection of Armistice Day, with a handbell ceremony, Sons of the American Revolution, a keynote speaker, Dudley The Riderless Horse and the Missing Man table, along with refreshments. Again, we'll be handing out a special semiquincentennial Challenge Coin to all veterans in attendance. Free, open to all.

Please join us and take some time at the Field to remember and honor.

Orange Field of Valor, Saturday Nov. 7th through Thursday, Nov. 12th. Volunteers welcome.

09/22/2026

FACES OF THE FIELD: JACK & ELISA HELLESEN

Some legacies of service don't end when the uniform comes off.

Aviation Mechanic 2nd Class Jack Hellesen was an Orange native who served in the U.S. Navy from 1951–1954 during the Korean War. Stationed in the Philippine Islands, Jack was a member of a Martin PBM seaplane crew, serving as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. His service was recognized with the China Service Medal, United Nations Medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Today, Jack's legacy lives on at the Orange Field of Valor through his wife, Elisa Hellesen.

For years, Elisa has been one of the Field's most dedicated volunteers—and one of its very best greeters. She welcomes visitors with a smile, takes the time to learn why they came, listens to the stories of the people they are honoring, and helps them understand the meaning behind the thousands of flags standing at Handy Park.

And every year, Elisa has a very personal reason for being there.
One of those flags honors Jack.

When Elisa welcomes a visitor to the Field, she isn't simply volunteering at an event. It's so much more than that. Ask anyone else who volunteers at the Field. She takes her job VERY seriously. She's even celebrated her birthday at the Field many times!

She's helping create the very experience that makes the Field so meaningful—giving people a place to remember someone they love, share their stories and know that their loved one's service will not be forgotten.

Jack served our country.
Elisa continues to serve his memory—and the memories of so many others.

Two legacies of service.
One extraordinary Field.

And a reminder that service doesn't always end when the uniform comes off.

This is why we remember.

Do you have someone whose story deserves to be told? Honor them with a Field of Valor flag tribute.

Address

1940 North Tustin Street, Suite 106
Orange, CA
92865

Telephone

+17142889909

Website

http://www.communityfoundationoforange.org/

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