Around Town: Colette’s Children’s Home holding drive-through food giveaway Saturday in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach-based nonprofit Colette’s Children’s Home will be holding a drive-through food giveaway on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m.

The giveaway will take place at the Colette’s headquarters, located at 7372 Prince Dr., Suite 106. Food will be available while supplies last.

For more information, call Colette’s Children’s Home executive director Billy O’Connell at (714) 596-1380, or email [email protected].

Girls Inc. of O.C. to host online fundraiser

Girls Inc. of Orange County is hosting an online fundraiser — Dads for Daughters: Invest in Her Future — through June 30 in support a literacy lab for girls who have had their school year cut short during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Education experts estimate students will lose an average of 30% of their typical yearly gains in reading because of the interruption of in-classroom instruction. Outcomes will likely be greater for students who have limited resources, are under stress and who live in poverty.

The Literacy Lab at Girls Inc. of Orange County helps prepare students to reach grade-level reading requirements and strengthens girls’ literacy skills through lessons in reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics and more. Reading also helps provide solace to children in difficult times.

Among participants, 97% reported they felt they’d become better readers, while 95% of parents and caregivers observed girls having higher confidence in their reading skills.

Donations from the online Dads for Daughter fundraiser will help Girl Inc. improve its virtual programs so more at-risk girls can reach their full potential. To help a young girl in need begin a new chapter in their lives, visit support.girlsinc-oc.org/D4D.

Shalimar Learning Center seeks donations

Think Together’s Shalimar Learning Center in Costa Mesa is teaming up with Nuvision Credit Union to help collect non-perishable food items for community members who have lost their income during the coronavirus crisis.

Now through June 30, organizers will be collecting food items, paper goods, cleaning supplies, diapers (sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5) and wipes, formula and personal hygiene items to local families with students enrolled in the organization’s after-school programs. Donated grocery and gasoline gift cards are also welcomed.

Shalimar’s after-school programs support the children of hourly workers — housekeepers, gardeners, restaurant and hotel workers — who often have no severance benefits and may be forced to work during a global health pandemic.

Community members may drop off donated food items at one of five donation centers:

• Costa Mesa Branch: 3195 Harbor Blvd., Ste. 1 in Costa Mesa (714) 375-6935
• 17th Street Branch: 298 East 17^th St., Ste. D in Costa Mesa (714) 375-8207
• Edinger Branch: 7812 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach (714) 375-8093
• Fountain Valley Branch: 18629 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley (714) 375-6955
• Lakewood Branch: 2660 Carson St., Lakewood (714) 375-8316

Those who wish to contribute without leaving the safety and comfort of their homes may make a donation supporting the Shalimar Relief Fund by visiting its GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/f/support-shalimar-learning-center039s-food-drive. Donations will be used to help impacted families pay for groceries, medical supplies and basic essentials.

Newport brewery hosting Junior Guards fundraiser

Helmsman Ale House will host a fundraiser on June 25 to benefit the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards program.

All proceeds from dine-in and takeout orders between 5 and 8 p.m. will be used to offset the increased operating costs and safety measures incurred by the program in response to COVID-19.

The popular summer youth program faced partial cancellation this year because of pandemic restrictions before the state and county’s updated guidance on day camps. The Newport Beach Fire Department, which puts on Junior Guards, drew up a modified version of the program that spreads it around Balboa Peninsula with more sanitation and staffing to maintain smaller groups. But the modifications will make the program more expensive.

Newport Beach Councilman Kevin Muldoon, a champion of finding a compromise that would maintain the program, is partnering in the fundraiser.

Helmsman Ale House is at 2920 Newport Blvd. Direct donations can also be made at apps.newportbeachca.gov/payforms/junior-guard-donation.aspx.

Happy hour yoga at Sherman Library & Gardens

Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar is hosting happy hour yoga sessions in its picturesque Central Garden the last Thursday of each month through August, from 6 to 8 p.m. The next class takes place June 25.

Taught by yoga instructor Darnell Renee, the hour-long yoga classes begin with breath work, then proceed with Hatha yoga poses (appropriate for all levels) that focus on balance, strength and stretching.

Following that, participants can enjoy a one-hour meditation practice, which will end with a restful, restorative Savasana pose, and then be treated to a glass of wine as they wander through the garden. Be sure to bring a mat, small towel and water.

Each class costs $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. Register in advance at thesherman.org. Sherman Library & Gardens garden is located at 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar. For more information, call (949) 673-2261.

O.C. Soccer Club creates Hispanic advisory board

The Orange County Soccer Club has introduced its new Hispanic Advisory Board, which the Irvine-based club says has been formed to greater serve the county’s Hispanic community.

Per the mission statement provided by the club regarding the board, it will “serve as a liaison between the greater Hispanic community and the club,” as the organization looks to fulfill a role as a unifier of local communities and make an impact.

Orange County Soccer Club hopes that such a partnership will lead to the club becoming a resource for nonprofit organizations, schools, youth organizations, and families in the local Hispanic community.

“We are proud and excited to bring so many great community leaders together to help make professional soccer accessible to our Hispanic community in Orange County,” Jeff Garner, Orange County Soccer Club president of business operations, said in a release. “The impact of soccer in our Hispanic communities is well known and will provide excellent opportunities to bring awareness and support of critical needs for these communities.”

In addition, Orange County Soccer Club has partnered with Unite Health Share Ministries to launch the OCSC Community Corner, a program that provides tickets to nonprofit organizations for the team’s regular season home games. Those tickets are to be shared with the children and families the nonprofits serve.

“We’re looking forward to bringing families together at OCSC games through this new program. As an Orange County native, I am delighted to help other local nonprofit establishments give back to our incredible community,” Christopher Jin, president of UHSM, said in a release. “At UHSM, our mission is to unite a community of believers to help promote healthy lifestyles and overall wellbeing, and our partnership with OCSC reflects that commitment to a new kind of health care.”

Giving Day benefits Anaheim kids

Newport Beach-based Orange County Community Foundation raised $86,020 for Anaheim youth Wednesday.

The second annual ImpACT Anaheim Giving Day drew 393 donors to support academic resources, enrichment and life skills programs, character building, leadership, mentorship, counseling and more offered by nine local organizations.

The participating organizations included Anaheim Community Foundation, Anaheim Ballet, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Anaheim-Cypress, Chance Theatre, Network Anaheim, Girls Inc., Pure Game and Voice of Refugees.

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