The 2007 Gold Coast Chocolate Festival was anincredible success! We will be updating the site over the next few weeks to show you someof the festival and tell you about the children that we will be able to help.

The chocolate competitions page is already updated. We have pictures of allof the contest winners and some fun photos of the contests. Please have a look andsee a first glimpse of what sort of things will be appearing on the website.

Last year more than 24,000 people attended this special event, sponsored byRestoring Hope Foundation of Southern California (RHFSC).RHFSC is a non-profit organization thatprovides medical assistance to children from the Chernobyl region still enduringthe emotional and physical consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This includes trauma, abuse, and abandonment.Our team of doctors and other staff are working with "Chernobyl Children'sProject International" in Ireland and Dr. Novick, President of the International Children's Heart Foundation.

Here in Southern California RHFSC is working with other charities such as the PartnershipFor Safe Families, Interface Child and Family Services, Kids and Families Together, andChild and Family Services to prevent, protect and heal children's trauma.Our commitment to our local children is as important as our work overseas.

Not everyone may think of the Chocolate Festival last year as an overwhelming success.Like every new festival, the Chocolate Festival had its share of first year problems. But, to 22 children from Chernobyl who were born with holes in their hearts, theChocolate Festival was truly an overwhelming success. Thanks to you, the RHFSC was able to sponsor surgeries for these children. Our team of doctors traveled to the Soviet Union last October to perform 22 surgeries.

There is a critically short of blood right now. Since the first of the year they havebeen short about 20% each day. We have invited them to hold a blood drive by the maingate to the Chocolate Festival. They will be there on Saturday, February 10thfrom 9:00am to 1:00pm. Donors will get free admission to the Chocolate Festival and a free box ofSee's Chocolate Candies. You can schedule an appointmentsat www.bloodhero.com (use sponsor code chocolate)or by calling United Blood Services at (805)654-8104.

The RHFSC Children's Heart Fund supplies pediatrics and cardiology staff volunteering to treat children suffering from radiation-induced illnesses in the indigent regions of the former Soviet Union. Our specialized team of dedicated medical specialists provides education, training, supplies and medication to children, as well as to their families and other doctors in desperate need of care and assistance. Thank you for your support.