Charities Make It Easy to Give, Receive

The following is a list of goods and services whose sale will benefit those in need this holiday season.

“1991 Glad Tidings Cards.” The Kids Cancer Connection Inc. is selling holiday cards featuring artwork hand-drawn by child cancer patients. The cards can be reviewed or ordered through a catalogue available by calling the Kids Cancer Connection at (714) 851-7774, (800) 649-9585 for California residents or writing to 17925 Skypark Circle, Suite C, Irvine. A box of 24 cards costs $15.

Christmas Trees. Northwestern Trees is offering fresh-cut Christmas trees starting at $15.95, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Share Our Selves (SOS), a Costa Mesa agency that feeds the hungry. SOS toy and food bins will be placed at the location to accept donations, and Santa Claus will be on hand to pose for photos. Northwestern’s “Big Top Tent” is at 2000 Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

“Claws & Paws.” The Friends of San Clemente Animals will take a picture of your pet with Santa Friday through Sunday at the Laguna Hills Mall, 24155 Laguna Hills Mall at El Toro Road. Times: Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $6 per photo, with all proceeds benefiting the San Clemente Animal Shelter. All pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. (714) 492-1617.

Here’s a list of programs in need of donations.

“Angel Tree Project.” Orange Coast College’s Associated Students (ASOCC) and the Orange County Human Services Agency are collecting gifts for needy and abused Orange County children through Dec. 13 at the college, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Participants may pick names from the “Angel Tree” before purchasing gifts, or drop off unwrapped gifts at the ASOCC office in the administration building Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (714) 432-5507.

“Christmas Care Packages.” Residents of Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital are preparing Christmas Care Packages for underprivileged children and their families. Donations of small canned goods, socks, gift wrapping, toys and toiletry items are being sought. The packages will be delivered by Dec. 13. Drop off donations at the Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital, 12332 Garden Grove Blvd., Garden Grove. (714) 534-1041.

“Christmas Wish Tree.” The Developmental Disabilities Center of Orange County is sponsoring its annual “Wish Tree” at seven Orange County locations. The tree is decorated with cards bearing the name and three gift requests of people with developmental disabilities. After selecting a card from the tree, participants are asked to donate any or all of the wish items on the list. Volunteers will deliver the gifts. Locations: Huntington Center Mall, 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach; Hadson Power Systems, 16845 Von Karman Ave., Irvine; Comarco Inc., 160 S. Old Springs Road, Anaheim; Villanueva/Arnono Architects, 245 Fischer Ave., Costa Mesa; Holmes & Narver, Inc., 999 Town & Country Road, Orange and Hair Artists 5891 Lampson Ave., Garden Grove. (714) 973-1999.

Recovery Homes Food Drive. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Orange County (NCADD) is sponsoring a food drive to benefit two recovery homes, New Directions in Costa Mesa and Pacific House in Anaheim. Donors are asked for can goods, soap products and toiletries. Drop-off points are at NCADD-El Toro office, 22471 Aspen St., Suite 103, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and NCADD-Orange County, 2110 E. 1st St., Suite 120, Santa Ana, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. (714) 770-1280.

Orange County Food Distribution Center Food Drive. Parkview Center in Irvine in association with the Orange County Food Distribution Center is hosting a food drive Dec. 9 through 16 at the center, 5325 University Drive. People donating non-perishable food items will receive a 20% discount card valid at participating Parkview Center stores. Food donations will be accepted Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (714) 250-3090.

“Toys for Orangewood Collection Ride.” The Irvine Police Assn. is sponsoring a gift and toy drive for the Orangewood Children’s Home, a home for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Although toys for young children are welcomed, gifts for teen-agers are especially needed. The deadline for receiving donations is 11 a.m. on Dec. 15. On this day, motorcycle riders from Orange County will convoy the collected items from the Irvine Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, to Orangewood Children’s Home in Orange. Entry fee for the ride is $1 plus a new unwrapped gift. Participants will receive a commemorative participation pin. (714) 724-7000.

If your charitable group is not listed, call (714) 966-5834 or fax (714) 966-5663 to have it included in a future listing.