New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: christmas

Crime Survivors to provide 885 children, 321 families with Christmas meal baskets and toys

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

(Santa Ana, CA) – Crime Survivors Resource Center is providing victims of crime, survivors, and their families with Christmas meal baskets, toys, and gift cards to help make dreams come true this holiday season. The giveaway events will be socially distanced and follow CDC guidelines.

“With these events, we hope to empower survivors of crime with hope and healing so they can truly enjoy celebrating the holidays with friends and family,” said Patricia Wenskunas, CEO of Crime Survivors Resource Center.

Orange County (Santa Ana)
Date: Sunday, December 20, 2020
Time: 11 AM
Location: available upon request (patricia@crimesurvivors.org)

About Crime Survivors Resource Center

Crime Survivors Resource Center is a Southern California-based, non-profit organization (Tax ID 30-0229425) which brings victims, families and survivors together with law enforcement agencies and victim service providers, to empower them. The mission of Crime Survivors is to provide hope and healing to victims and survivors of crime through advocacy and the support of resources, information, and empowerment from the critical time after a crime occurs through the challenges and successes of surviving and thriving. To learn more about the organization, please visit: www.crimesurvivors.org.

Free Santa Ana laundry services and toy giveaway set for Dec. 25

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

Operation Warm Wishes Presents: The Gift Of Giving Christmas Celebration, Free Laundry Services And Toy Giveaway For Our Homeless, Youth and Families.

Where: Good Choice Laundry-1620 East First Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701

When: Christmas Day, December 25th 2020

Time: 7am to Noon ( or how long it takes to do laundry)

* All safety measures will be enforced

For more information please call TyRon Jackson (714) 363-6621 or visit www.OperationWarmWishes.com

The O.C. Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa gift drives are open through Dec. 21

Posted on December 16, 2018 by Editor Posted in Santa Ana Leave a comment

SSA’s Operation Santa Claus, Senior Santa & Friends Drives Collecting Donations for the Holidays

Operation Santa Claus (OSC) and Senior Santa & Friends (SSF) annual gift drives are open through December 21, 2018

Orange County, Calif. (December 11, 2018) – The Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends annual gift drives are currently collecting donations for children and seniors across the county, respectively.

Operation Santa Claus, which began as a small effort to meet the needs of a handful of children in 1962, has become a major event for the community. This program provides gifts and toys to children who are in foster care in Orange County as well as to children of disadvantaged families who are receiving services from the County of Orange. Last year, Operation Santa Claus distributed almost 42,000 toys/gifts to children in need. This would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of County of Orange employees, community-based organizations, businesses, and individuals in the community who play an important role in collecting toys.

“Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa and Friends bring joy to our most vulnerable youth and seniors,” said First District Supervisor Andrew Do, Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors. “The tireless work of our volunteers and generosity of our donors help brighten the holiday season for so many Orange County families.”

The Operation Santa Claus program is coordinated by the County of Orange Social Services Agency (SSA) with support from community volunteers. Approximately 2,000 hours annually are donated by volunteers from County agencies and the community. These volunteers have been the backbone of Operation Santa Claus since its inception.

“This is my first year working with Operation Santa Claus as a volunteer, and my first time volunteering ever,” said Operation Santa Claus volunteer Fumiko Martinez. Ms. Martinez continued, “It means so much to realize I am playing a part to help children in need in my community, and it is heartwarming to see so many people coming together to help make the holidays special for them.”

In addition to Operation Santa Claus, SSA also runs Senior Santa & Friends. This program is geared toward providing gifts and special request items to low income elderly or severely disabled adults who are clients of SSA and/or the Orange County Health Care Agency.

Each year, SSA staff identifies clients who would benefit from having items such as household appliances, special medical equipment, nutritional supplements or clothing. Items received through Senior Santa & Friends help to make life easier, more comfortable and/or more independent. Last year, Senior Santa & Friends provided over 2,000 gifts and necessities to low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in Orange County. This was largely due to the efforts of volunteers and donations received from County employees, private companies, community-based organizations, and individuals who donate to Senior Santa & Friends annually.

Residents of Orange County can take part in Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends by:

Donating online at: ssa.ocgov.com/volunteer/donations/osc_donation and ssa.ocgov.com/volunteer/donations/sr_santa_donation
Donating new and unwrapped toys at the collection boxes placed in many County buildings including every County Library throughout Orange County. In addition, Orange County residents may also drop off toys and other gifts at 1505 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705. Please call 714-679-2438 or email operationsantaclaus@ssa.ocgov.com to ask about drop off times and locations.
Displaying Angel tags on trees, bulletin boards, walls, etc. Angel Tags provide gift suggestions for a senior or child in need of a gift from “Santa.” Requests for tags may be emailed to senior.santa@ssa.ocgov.com or operationsantaclaus@ssa.ocgov.com

For more information about Operation Santa Claus, please call (714) 679-2438 or email OperationSantaClaus@ssa.ocgov.com.

And for more information about Senior Santa & Friends, please call (714) 825-3111 or e-mail Senior.Santa@ssa.ocgov.com.

The 6th Annual Santa Ana Plaza Navideña event and Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Nov. 17

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Editor Posted in Arts and Culture, Business, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Advisory: KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON AT THE CITY OF SANTA ANA’S 6TH ANNUAL PLAZA NAVIDEÑA EVENT AND TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

SANTA ANA – The City of Santa Ana will be hosting the 6th Annual Plaza Navideña event and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Plaza Calle Cuatro on the corner of Fourth and French Street in Downtown Santa Ana.

This free event is open to the public and will include the annual tree lighting ceremony, live entertainment including mariachi and folklorico dancing, piñatas for children, and, of course, a special visit from Santa Claus! Along with the festivities, tasty treats will be available for purchase. Continue reading→

Crime prevention tips for holiday shopping

Posted on December 16, 2017 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Crime Prevention Tips for Holiday Shopping

Shopping in stores:

Never leave your valuables unattended, phone, purse, wallet, etc.
Wait until asked before taking out your credit card or checkbook. An enterprising thief would love to shoulder surf to get your account information.
Tell a security guard or store employee if you see an unattended bag or package. The same applies if you are using mass transit.
Deter pickpockets by carrying your purse close to your body and keeping it closed.
Men keep your wallet in an inner coat pocket or front pants pocket.
Do not buy more than you can carry. Plan ahead by taking a friend with you or ask a store employee to help you carry your packages to the car.
Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk or, if possible, take them directly home.

Continue reading→

Santa and helpers to deliver gifts to 1,167 SAUSD students on Dec. 8

Posted on December 7, 2017 by Editor Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD 1 Comment

Santa and Helpers to Deliver Gifts to 1,167 SAUSD Students on Dec. 8

Chapman University President Daniele Struppa will play Santa; the effort is organized through Direct Effect Charities

(Dec. 7, 2017) All 1,167 students at Madison Elementary School in the Santa Ana Unified School District will receive personal gifts from Santa Claus and his helpers on Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 through Direct Effect Charities, a Chicago-based charity that is currently expanding its hands-on programs to Orange County. Continue reading→

Santa Claus is coming to town for the 25th annual OCTA Stuff-A-Bus

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Charities, OCTA Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2017

Santa Claus is Coming to Town for 25th Annual Stuff-A-Bus

The yearly event brings people together to help collect toys for local kids in need during the holidays

ORANGE – Those looking to make Santa’s nice list this year can do so by donating toys at the 25th annual Stuff-A-Bus event on Friday, Dec. 15 at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

The public is encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys or sporting equipment to the Honda Center west parking lot at 2695 E. Katella Ave. in Anaheim from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Toys will be distributed to children in need throughout the community. Continue reading→

Toy Drive in the Barrio set for Dec. 18 at Jerome Park

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Editor Posted in Charities, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Unidos Para Ti is hosting their yearly community event, the 9th Annual Toy Drive in the Barrio, on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm, at Jerome Park, located at 726 South Center St., in Santa Ana.

Unidos Para Ti, along with various partners such as OC Lowrider Alliance, Holiday Wish Foundation and many others, have been working very hard to execute their yearly toy giveaway this Christmas Season. This year their much anticipated event will be taking place in one of the neediest neighborhoods in Santa Ana, the New Horizons neighborhood. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Christmas Pancake Breakfast and Laundry Day for the homeless set for 12/25

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Editor Posted in Charities, homeless, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Operation Warm Wishes Presents: The 5th Annual Gift of Giving – Christmas Pancake Breakfast Celebration and Laundry Day for the Homeless and Families in Need!

Featuring…..”The Happy Holiday Hut” filled with toys and gifts for our children and families! Join us! All are invited! No one will be turned away!

When: Christmas Morning

Where: Good Choice Laundry- 1620 East First Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Continue reading→

A 96-foot Christmas tree at the South Coast Plaza was destroyed by a fire early today

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Fires 2 Comments

The 96-foot Christmas tree worth $120,000 was destroyed Monday morning in a fire outside the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel, according to the O.C. Register.

Firefighters got a call at 6:34 a.m. that the tree, a 96-foot white fir from Mt. Shasta, was burning, Costa Mesa fire spokesman Capt. Chris Coates said, according to the L.A. Times. Continue reading→

Free Christmas Laundry Day and Pancake Breakfast for the homeless and needy

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Editor Posted in Charities, Family, homeless, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

Operation Warm Wishes Presents: The Gift Of Giving-Christmas Day Breakfast Celebration and Laundry Day for the Homeless and Families in Need!

This Holiday Season, share the Gift of Giving! Christmas is a time to be with family, it’s a time of celebration, it’s a time of giving, and be thankful for what you have been given.

Christmas is also a time to remember those less fortunate, the needy, the forgotten, the homeless. Most of all, Christmas is a time to remember what our Savor Jesus Christ did for us, and in return share that same Love! Continue reading→

Third Annual Plaza Navideña celebration set for 12/12

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Editor Posted in Arts and Culture, Civic Affairs, Entertainment, Family, Food, Latinos, Music, Parks and Recreation, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana,Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Third Annual Plaza Navideña / Tercera Celebración Anual de Plaza Navideña

The City of Santa Ana is excited to announce its Third Annual Plaza Navideña celebration on Saturday, December 12th at Plaza Calle Cuatro on the corner of Fourth and French Streets. The festivities will take place from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The event will include a visit from Santa Claus and candy filled piñatas for the children. There will be festive live entertainment including mariachi music, ballet folklorico, tamale contest, and the adorned 30 foot holiday tree for all to enjoy. Continue reading→

Toy drive for needy kids set for Dec. 20 at Jerome Park

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Charities, Entertainment, Family, Music, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

A holiday toy drive in the barrio will be hosted by Unidos Para Ti and the OC Lowrider Alliance at Jerome Park on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will include a free concert and a toy giveaway as well as a car show. If you are interested in entering your car there is a fee of $15 plus one unwrapped toy. You may enter a bike for $10 plus an unwrapped toy. Continue reading→

Downtown Santa Ana Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony set for Nov. 18

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Editor Posted in Entertainment, Family, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony / Ceremonia de Iluminación del Árbol Navideño

The City of Santa Ana is hosting its Second Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at Plaza Calle Cuatro (corner of Fourth and French). Take part in this new tradition with family and friends as we mark the beginning of the holiday season with this festive event. Continue reading→

It was a bloody Christmas week in Santa Ana

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Santa Ana 2 Comments

The Santa Ana City Council members keep saying crime is under control but just look at what happened in our city during Christmas week this year. It was a very bloody week indeed.

Two 13-year-old boys were shot at around 2 p.m. Christmas Day along the 1600 block of S. Evergreen Street. The incident may be gang-related and may have been a drive-by shooting, according to the O.C. Register. The boys will live but they are not cooperating with the police. (This crime occurred in Ward 1, which is represented by Mayor Pro Tem Vince Sarmiento).
A man on leave from the military went to a Christmas Eve party where he met a woman. They later went to her apartment in the 300 block of South Garnsey Street, where around 4:30 Christmas morning he was stabbed by the woman’s ex-boyfriend, who’d been lying in wait, according to police, according to the OC Weekly. (This crime occurred in Ward 5, which is represented by Councilman Roman Reyna).
On Christmas Eve, at approximately midnight, SAPD police officers were dispatched to a call of shots fired in the area of 500 S. Sullivan Street. Witnesses informed officers they had heard approximately 4-5 shots fired. While at the call, officers were informed that a 17 year old male, later identified as Angel Arellano, arrived with multiple gunshot wounds at Coastal Community Hospital. Arellano was immediately transported to Western Medical in critical condition where he died from his injuries, as we previously reported. Arellano, a documented Townsend Street gang member, was one of the individuals trying to stop the Orange County District Attorney’s Townsend Street injunction. (This crime occurred in Ward 5, which is represented by Councilman Roman Reyna).

Continue reading→