Reach Out this Holiday Season
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: With all of the need in the world today, local groups and communities are reaching out to help others. Find out how you can make donations or volunteer in Orange County for the holidays.
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These days charitable giving opportunities to help out those less fortunate are everywhere. Take a day off from shopping this holiday season and reach out to the community during one of the many worthwhile holiday events and volunteer opportunities occurring across Orange County.
Holiday Surfboard Auction
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is teaming up with Surfers Healing to host the 2nd Annual Holiday Surfboard Auction. Twenty-six surfboards will be auctioned off for this event – many of the one-of-a-kind boards have been signed and designed by legends and surf pros alike, making it a perfect holiday gift. Surfers Healing, an organization founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz, supports children with autism through very unique means. After finding that their autistic son loved to spend time in the ocean, the couple developed a specialized surf camp for other autistic children and their families. The children spend the day playing in "healing waters," while being exposed to a surfing experience tailored to their specific needs. The auction, part of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel's Community Footprints program, will provide online bidding available through December 31, 2009 at noon. You can swing by the resort to view the surfboards on display, laying eyes on your favorites before placing your bid online. The highest bidders can pick up their prizes on January 1, 2010. Contribute to this wonderful cause and bring home a priceless holiday gift. For more information about the auction, call The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel at 949.240.2000 and to place online bids, visit surfershealing.cmarket.com.
Holiday Gift Card Drive
Stop by Fashion Island on December 18 and come bearing gift cards. Laura's House shelter is putting a unique spin on the idea of giving with its Holiday Gift Card Drive, benefiting their Spirit of Empowerment program. Laura's House, a local shelter for battered women and their children, wants its residents to feel empowered, especially during the holiday season – what better way to do so than sending gifts their way, putting a smile on both mother and child's faces? Instead of the usual donation, the shelter is requesting gift cards for the women and children of the shelter. Their wish list suggestions include gift cards from: grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, local restaurant and fast food destinations, department stores, as well as book, clothing and shoe stores. Donations can be turned in at Fashion Island's lower-level Atrium Garden Court, located near Barnes & Noble and Dick's Sporting Goods. Those who drop off gift cards for Laura's House will receive a special "thank you" from Fashion Island retailers or restaurants, in the form of exclusive discounts or offers. Not to mention, bringing happiness to a family in need this holiday season. For more information about the event or for more gift card ideas, call 949.361.3775.
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Drive
Knott's Berry Farm (aka Merry Farm) is hosting this annual drive, running from December 5-20. The theme park is offering rewards to generous donors in the form of free park admission. Those who purchase a donation gift valued at $15 or more at the Knott's Marketplace will receive a complimentary Knott's Merry Farm admission, as will those who make online donations. If you wish to make a donation online, go to knotts.com, click on "Santa's Toy Bag," then give your gift. Bringing your own new and unwrapped toy valued at $15 or more will give the donor a voucher for a discounted admission ticket. For more information, visit knotts.com or call 714.220.5200.
Holiday Tree Fantasy
The Orange County-based Child Guidance Center is throwing its 27th annual Holiday Tree Fantasy event at the Island Hotel Newport Beach on December 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Holiday Tree Fantasy will include a luxurious luncheon, various auctions, and of course, the tree raffle featuring exquisitely decorated Christmas trees and holiday-themed gifts. Enjoy a scrumptious lunch at a fabulous location and take in the magnificence of the decked-out trees, all while contributing to a worthy cause: 100% of all proceeds from the event will benefit the center's Child Abuse Prevention programs. If you are looking to help out with an event, then you're in luck. Holiday Tree Fantasy 2009 is seeking volunteers to set up, clean up, run auctions, and decorate trees for the luncheon. To find out more, call 714.953.4455 or visit www.cgcoc.org.
Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption
Is your child asking for a new furry friend this holiday season? The holidays are a wonderful time to welcome a new pet into your home, especially through means of adoption. Sponsored by the Irvine Animal Care Center, the Home for the Holidays pet adoption event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on December 6. The event will feature various vendors for pet essentials, a raffle, silent auction, bake sale, and pet experts, as well as Santa himself, who will be taking photos with the kids. The Irvine Animal Care Center is putting on this event to heighten community awareness about the increasing homeless pet population in the area. Home for the Holidays' timing couldn't be any better: Pets are a very popular holiday wish list item and adoption is a great way to bring home that perfect gift. With over 500 animals up for adoption, you'll be sure to find that furry new family member you're looking for. Volunteers are needed as well. Volunteer tasks include setting up, manning booths, tearing down, assisting with the animals, and helping out with other general needs. For more information, visit irvineshelter.org or contact Crystal Nettles at 949.724.7741.
Toby's House Charity
Planet Beauty is teaming up with Toby's House Charity to partake in a holiday giving event, Thursday, December 10. Not only will customers receive 15% off of their purchase, but 10% of the proceeds on the event date will be donated to Toby's House Charity, a local maternity shelter providing support to pregnant women and their children. The event will take place at the Dana Point and Newport Beach Planet Beauty locations from 6-9 p.m. There will be cocktails and snacks available while you shop for the cause. For additional information, call 949.261.6788 (Newport Beach) or 949.493.7111 (Dana Point).
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Knit One, Cure Too
This holiday knitting extravaganza, hosted by Spa Gregorie's and Westfield MainPlace Shopping Center, donates 100% of proceeds directly to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. In its first year last year, the knit-a-thon reeled in over 80 participants – knitters, survivors, supporters, friends, and family alike – all working to "knit for the cure." These participants yielded more than 250 hand-knit pieces, all of which were sold to the public at the event. Scarf prices range from $15-$30 each, making them a perfect holiday gift both for recipient and cause. In the midst of your holiday shopping, stop by the Knit One, Cure Too event in Westfield MainPlace Shopping Center on December 11 from 4-7 p.m. to show your support. Visit spagregories.com or call Kathy Leek, 949.422.0414, for event details.
Making the Holidays Brighter
Release some of your pent-up creative energy and contribute to a heartwarming holiday cause. Spencer Hospice Foundation in Santa Ana is Making the Holidays Brighter by providing meals, gifts and special crafts to their terminally ill patients. They are especially in need of volunteers who can compile gift baskets, decorate ornaments and create holiday cards, which will later be given to the patients of Spencer Hospice just in time for the holidays. Spread some cheer to those who could really use it this holiday season. Donations and crafted items must be dropped off by December 11 at 5 p.m. For specific gift donation ideas and more information, visit spencer-foundation.org or call 888.469.1581.
Adopt a Family
Orange County's Share Our Selves is ringing in the holidays with its 40th annual Adopt a Family program. Share Our Selves uses volunteers from across the county to "provide free care and assistance to those in need," according to their mission statement. The holiday program reaches out to local struggling families, adopting them during the holiday season and providing them with food and gifts. Share Our Selves encourages participants in the program to donate at least one full holiday meal or two new gifts for the family's children (though providing both the meal and the gifts are ideal). Volunteers for Share Our Selves' Adopt a Family program are needed December 15, 16 and 17 at the OC Fair & Event Center. Swing by to lend your helping hands. To get more information, visit shareourselves.org or call 949.515.5400 Ext. 39.
Nana's Kids
Attention holiday volunteers! Nana's Kids, a Grandma's House of Hope Program, is hosting a festive party for children who live in motels, cars or extremely overcrowded homes, in an effort to give them a holiday experience that will not soon be forgotten. They are currently looking for volunteers to help with the event, taking place on December 19 at the El Dorado Inn, located in Anaheim. Volunteers will assist with crafts, food service, set up and clean up, and other tasks. The party will provide the children with a great holiday meal, gifts and craft activities. Grandma's House of Hope has a wish list full of wanted items for their new shelter, ranging from furniture to office equipment. For more information and donation ideas, visit grandmashouseofhope.org or call 714.457.3187.
Hope for the Holidays
The Community Action Partnership of Orange County is seeking volunteers who can help with their Hope for the Holidays event, taking place now through December 20. This is a group-friendly volunteer opportunity, so bring everyone you know and help contribute to a wonderful holiday cause. Hope for the Holidays is working to help out low-income, struggling families with their holiday food and gift needs. Volunteers will assist in organizing food and toys for distribution, and donations will go out to needy families struck by the economy's downturn. Whether you wish to lend your assistance or donate to the cause, visit capoc.org for more information.
Spirit of Christmas Tour
During these rough economic times, it can be difficult to look outside of our pressing situations to consider those less fortunate, especially when many of us have been forced to cut back on our own expenses. The sad truth in our current economic climate is this: Charitable giving decreases as many people drastically decrease their spending, while need continues to increase. World Vision, widely known for their sponsor-a-child program, recently embarked on a Spirit of Christmas Tour around the world, in an effort to increase awareness about their Gift Catalog. They will be taking video of gift recipients to show people the widespread impact of a simple charitable act. The Gift Catalog has been a success ever since its beginnings in 1996, offering valuable gifts to people in need, worldwide. Gift prices range widely, from less than $20 up to $500 and above. These presents aren't your typical gadgets and sweaters: World Vision offers a variety of gifts from goats ($75 each) and chickens ($25 for two), to education and clothing ($32-$35 for one person). Take a small portion out of your holiday budget, and contribute life-giving essentials to people less fortunate, with World Vision's Gift Catalog. Visit www.worldvisiongifts.org or call 888.511.6511 for more information.
