Here’s how you can help during the holidays
During the holidays, many community groups put together Thanksgiving feasts and assistance programs for those in need. Here are some organizations that could use volunteers and donations:
Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves is conducting its 45th Adopt-A-Family program by connecting donors with more than 1,300 families in the area.
Donors are asked to provide each child in a family with at least two new gifts or provide the family with a complete holiday dinner — or both. Companies, schools and organizations are asked to consider holding food and toy drives to help with families who are not “adopted.”
To participate or for more information, email AAF2014@shareourselves.org, call (949) 270-2187 or visit www.shareourselves.org.
*
Costa Mesa
On Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen provides a meal and celebration for those in need. More than 500 guests are served each holiday, and many are first-timers to the Soup Kitchen.
Someone Cares is at 720 W 19th St, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 548-8861.
*
Huntington Beach
Shoppers at the Bella Terra mall are encouraged to donate a new or gently used coat to benefit Orange County’s homeless. Each coat earns the donor an entry for a $250 holiday shopping spree.
The drive runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the shopping center, 7777 Edinger Ave. For more information, visit www.bellaterra-hb.com.
*
Irvine
The South County Outreach Adopt-A-Family program is looking for sponsors to provide groceries for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals along with gifts for children.
Sponsors can ask to be matched with families of a particular size or according to the ages of the children or city of residence. They will also have the chance to meet the families they are helping.
A toy and food drive through Dec. 18 will accept donations at the program offices, 7 Whatney in Irvine.
On Dec. 20, the South County Outreach food pantry will be transformed into a holiday toy store where parents can choose gifts for their children that will be wrapped onsite.
Volunteer opportunities are available for the holidays and beyond. For more information, visit www.sco-oc.org/holiday-adopt-a-family.
*
Irvine
Mariners Church in Irvine will hold a free all-community dinner from noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving at the campus’ community center, 5001 Newport Coast Drive. Participate in family photos, children’s crafts, football watching and other activities. To RSVP or for more information, visit www.marinerschurch.org/event/517881-2013-11-28-thanksgiving-as-it-should-be .
*
Laguna Beach
The Friendship Shelter and Neighborhood Congregational Church will present their annual Thanksgiving feast, complete with a buffet provided by the community.
All are welcome. Guests are asked to bring a holiday dish at noon Thursday to the church, at Glenneyre Street at St. Ann’s Drive.
“It’s compassionate, quirky and joyous. This is not ‘us and them’ — it’s all of us, sitting together, sharing a meal and the company of friends,” Friendship Shelter Executive Director Dawn Price said in a news release.
Donations of food, especially cooked turkeys, are sought.
Some 600 to 700 meals typically are served. A small army of carvers works to cut up hot turkeys and hams, and volunteers organize the display. Another group of volunteers prepares bag lunches that are given to homeless people and others.
Food donors are encouraged to stay and share the meal.
For more information or to volunteer, call (949) 494-6928 or email kpoints@friendshipshelter.org. To donate a turkey, call (949) 228-1954.
*
Newport Beach
The Child Guidance Center of Orange County will hold its annual Holiday Tree Fantasy event from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach.
View professionally decorated trees and enjoy a raffle, gift baskets for auction, a gourmet lunch, a children’s area and entertainment.
The event raises funds for the center, which focuses on families dealing with child abuse.
Tickets are $125, or $65 for children. For more information, visit www.cgcoc.org/pr/holiday-tree-fantasy-2014.
Holiday events and boutiques
*
Corona del Mar
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host its 36th annual Christmas Walk from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 around 2855 E. Coast Hwy. in Corona del Mar.
A strip of Pacific Coast Highway will shut down for attendees to eat, play games, hear music and participate in an opportunity drawing.
The free event is sponsored by a variety of groups and businesses including Farmers and Merchants Bank, which will offer gingerbread along with holiday bell carolers.
A beer and wine garden and barbecue will be hosted by the Newport Beach Fire Department. Santa will visit, and a petting zoo will also be part of the fun.
For more information, visit www.cdmchamber.com.
*
Laguna Beach
Neighborhood Congregational Church will hold its 10th annual Alternative International Holiday Gift Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6 and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the church’s Bridge Hall, 340 St. Ann’s Drive.
This year, gifts will be offered from nonprofit groups including Concern America, Bead for Life and SERRV.
Concern America is a nonprofit development and refugee aid organization that offers fair trade crafts from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Bangladesh.
Bread for Life offers opportunities for women in Uganda living on less than a dollar a day to become self-sustaining entrepreneurs by creating shea butter skin care products and jewelry made from colorful rolled paper.
SERRV is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities and support to artisans and farmers in the United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa.
The free event enables people to learn about the needs around the world while purchasing gifts that help various groups.
Last year’s event raised more than $5,000 for the organizations represented. For more information, visit www.ncclaguna.org or call (949) 494-8061.
*
Newport Beach
Newport Harbor High School will hold a holiday boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the high school’s small gym and courtyard.
More than 60 vendors will be selling a variety of products including beauty products, home goods, clothing, children’s books and poinsettias. A Rock the Runway fashion show presented by Fashionomics and Toni & Guy at 12:30 p.m.
Admission is $3.
The event is organized by the PTA, and a portion of the proceeds and admission fees will go to student programs, scholarships and activities.
The school is at 600 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. For more information, visit www.nhhsptaholidayboutique.com or call (818) 355-2976.