How you can make the holidays better for the homeless in Orange County

Orange County, Calif. – Orange County Rescue Mission is calling on the local community to help deliver holiday cheer to over 290 formerly homeless men, women, and children living at the organization’s campuses. The Rescue Mission has announced an urgent need for holiday gift donations for adults, which the children will give to their parents during the 14th annual Miracle at the Mission event at the Village of Hope. Adults without children will also receive a gift for Christmas.

“Despite previous hardships faced by the folks who are part of our program, we have made it our mission to provide holiday cheer to every individual residing at the Village of Hope and other Rescue Mission campuses,” says Orange County Rescue Mission President, Jim Palmer. “The holidays are a special and heartwarming time for families at the Rescue Mission, as the donated gifts from the local community will allow the children residing at these campuses to experience the joy of selecting and giving holiday gifts to their parents – many for the first time.”

In addition to choosing and giving gifts, the Miracle at the Mission event will also include 20 tons of snow, activities, treats, musical performances and even a puppet performance, given by the children residing at the Rescue Mission’s facilities, courtesy of The Center’s Arts Teach of Segerstom Center for the Arts.

If you are in a position to donate and help the Rescue Mission spread some joy this season, below are some recommended items for adults in need.

Suggested donation items needed for adults include new and unwrapped:

• Beanies
• Wallets
• Watches
• Journals and Pens
• Hair Ties and Accessories
• Reusable Water Bottles
• Baseball Caps
• Socks
• Nail Polish
• Throw Blankets
• Non-Battery-Operated Alarm Clocks
• Local Sports Teams Fan Gear

The Rescue Mission will be accepting the above items as gifts for the Miracle at the Mission event through December 16.

“Our Miracle at the Mission event is just that: a miracle. And that miracle comes in the form of support from our incredible community, whom we continue to be utterly blown away by for the tremendous generosity that they have provided to the Village of Hope, especially during the holiday season,” says Palmer.

“Through the community’s donations, we are able to help residents at our facilities celebrate the holidays with their families, all while continuing to provide them with their basic needs for health and comfort.”

All donated items may be dropped off at Orange County Rescue Mission’s Village of Hope, located at 1 Hope Drive in Tustin, California, 92782, every day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Alternately, donations can also be bought online and delivered to Orange County Rescue Mission. For questions, please email events@rescuemission.org.

About Orange County Rescue Mission

Orange County Rescue Mission’s goal is to minister the love of Jesus Christ to the Least, the Last, and the Lost of our community through the provision of assistance in the areas of guidance, counseling, education, job training, shelter, food, clothing, health care and independent living communities.
The Rescue Mission was formed as a faith-based organization in 1963. Since that time, the Rescue Mission has shared hope through Jesus Christ to those without hope in Orange County. Our programs are designed to give comprehensive services that move homeless men, women, veterans, and children to self-sufficiency. Its programs and dedication to going above and beyond have earned the organization numerous recognitions including Charity Navigator’s highest rating of 4 stars.

To make a donation or inquire about volunteer opportunities with Orange County Rescue Mission, please contact (714) 247-4300 or visit www.rescuemission.org.