Giving

Recently I heard an awesome presentation at a moms’ group I am involved in on how to raise a child that is a giver. Since we are approaching Thanksgiving I was inspired to share one of the simple ideas that my family has adopted.

It is called “The Giving Box” and what I loved most about the idea is that it encourages regular giving throughout the year and not just at the holidays. This is how it works!

The goal is to include your children in the project so that they feel like they are a part of it. The first step is to make your Giving Box.

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Join the Junior League of Orange County this weekend at their major fundraising event, The Christmas Company at the Orange County Fairgrounds where you can shop from over 100 vendors and check people off your holiday shopping list before we even get into the December craziness.

Proceeds from this event benefit numerous local charities helping women, children and families. Shopping + charity = win-win!

And, snatch up this deal on Plum District running through tomorrow, and get two general admission tickets for only $10.

The event runs Thursday, November 17th through Sunday, November 20th with a list of incredible exhibitors like these. You can even stop by to see local artist Timree and order some personalized gifts for those special someones on your list. Isn’t her painting in the graphic above darling? Love, love, love her art!

At the event there will also be many separate ticket  special events including yoga with YAS founder Kimberly Fowler and a Fancy Nancy Tea Party with author Jane O’Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser. Squeeeeeee! Click here for times & ticket prices.

For more information visit www.shoptcc.com
Follow The Christmas Company on Facebook * Tweet with @ShopTCC

Click here to buy the Plum District deal for 2 for 1 admission

[Disclosure: Plum District is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor/Affiliate & Timree is a Tiny Oranges Sponsor.]

Are you ready for a fun-filled weekend of OC family Halloween events?  This Sunday, October 30th, 2011 from 8am – 11am you will have a chance to bring your kids to the MOST FUN Halloween party ever and give back at the same time at the 20th annual Pumpkins & Pancakes Halloween Extravaganza at South Coast Plaza.

What I especially love about this event is with every ticket purchase, you will be able to choose whether you would like your money to benefit one of three amazing Orange County charities helping local children: Casa Orange County, CHOC Children’s Foundation and Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

I have gone to this event several times and it is one of my favorite seasonal family events in OC.  At it, you will find the Macy’s and Crate and Barrel wing of South Coast Plaza completely transformed into a multi-level rocking Halloween party!

You can enjoy a delicious gourmet pancake breakfast by one of my favorite breakfast spots, Plums Café and Catering, along with music for dance parties, a petting zoo, face painting, balloon artists, arts & crafts, caricature drawings, professional photos, hair feather artists, surprise characters, silent auction, opportunity prizes and more!

All kids dress in their costumes, so make sure to dress them up and take advantage of all the great photo ops!

Tickets are $30 per person if purchased by noon TODAY (10/28) and $35 at the door. Children under two years old are free.

For more information, visit the Pumpkins and Pancakes 2011 website.

Have a great weekend everyone! See you back on Monday!

Kids and families are invited to celebrate the fall season at the fourth annual Great Park Pumpkin Harvest and food drive, Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This fall event is especially important in the fight against hunger. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned and non-perishable food items to the Great Park Pumpkin Harvest and food drive to help Second Harvest Food Bank and Community Action Partnership prepare for their busy Thanksgiving season helping families in need.

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I had a friend ask me the other day for places to donate gently used maternity and baby clothes in Orange County so I posted on my Tiny Oranges Facebook page to see if anyone had a suggestion.

Within one evening, I got 14 responses of great local OC charities. I love Facebook! I wanted to do a post listing these organizations in case you have items you no longer need and want to donate to local families who can use your help.  Your donations make a difference.

Of course, I know there are MANY more, so please comment below if you want to add to this list!   And, please do “like” my Facebook page as my readers have the best info to share!

Here they are (please make sure to call before dropping off to confirm hours and address):

Assistance League of Orange [Assistance to those in need in Orange.] Donations for thrift shop needed. 124 South Orange Street, Orange, California 92866. (714) 532-5800

Casa Teresa [Homeless shelter for pregnant women over 18] 8:30 – 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Please call (714) 538 – 4860 for address. Donation bin on side of driveway, drop items there and ring bell for receipt. No cribs or mattresses. Orange.

Circle of Concern [Circle of Concern Thrift Store supports abused and neglected children.] Weekly pick-ups available; click HERE for list of OC cities and call 1-800-499-5121 for more information.

Collette’s Children’s Home [Helping homeless women and children ] - 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Please call (714) 596-1380 in advance to ensure they can accept donation. Huntington Beach.

Focus Orange County [Assistance to families in need.] 13261 Dunklee Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840-6158. (714) 971-2244

Laura’s House [Ending the silence of domestic violence] - Lake Forest . Tell them Jacelynn Ok’d donations if you call. Click here for drop off hours and address.

MOMS Orange County [Helping families have healthy babies] – Drop off from 8:30 – 5pm weekdays or call to arrange drop off on a Saturday or weeknight. 1128 W. Santa Ana Boulevard, Santa Ana, CA 92703

Orangewood Children’s Foundation [Provides services for abused and neglected children and at-risk famlies]  - Can drop items Monday – Friday 8:30 – 5:00 at front desk. 1575 E. 17th Street, Santa Ana.

Orange County Rescue Mission [Christian based] - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday: One Hope Drive, Tustin, CA 92782. Click here for urgent needs.

Share Our Selves [Services for homeless and low income families]  Drop off at 1550 Superior Avenue, Costa Mesa, between 8:00am-3:00pm. 949.270.2100.