Celebrate the Season of Giving in Huntington Beach

Assistance League Huntington Beach aims to transform the lives of children and adults through community programs. They currently have over 350 volunteers who dedicated over 70,000 service hours last year to the community. They opened the first Assistance League Thrift Shop in Orange County and host an annual fundraising event every spring.

Donate by shopping at their thrift shop - open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays - or by donating to one of their community programs. Learn more about the programs HERE. 

Huntington Beach Pier • November 27, 2024 - December 16, 2024

The Giving Machine, the popular "vending machine" that works in reverse by allowing users to donate a variety of much-needed items for local and global charities will be opening to the public on November 27, 2024. The launch marks the beginning of a campaign that offers holiday shoppers the chance to purchase sustainable gifts that will help families overcome hunger, poverty, and local needs. 

Visitors can make donations by purchasing items ranging in price from $5 to $500 and including staples such as clothing, hygiene items, meals, school supplies, and life-saving medicine. 

Orange County Humane Society Annual Fund

The Orange County Humane Society (OCHS) Annual Fund has been making second chances possible for countless adoptable pets over the years. Loyal OCHS supporters contribute to the Annual Fund each year, helping meet the ongoing need for flexible, unrestricted income to support the mission and impact animals across the nation. 

Whether it's something as simple as providing a comfortable bed or as complicated as mending a broken leg, every dollar makes a vital difference in the life of a homeless or abused pet. Learn more about how you can help HERE. 

Holiday Helpers

Help provide gifts and toys to Project Self-Sufficiency (PSS) families this holiday season. They are collecting items for children of all ages and single parents. You can help in a few different ways:

• Drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts at First Christian Church (1207 Main St., Huntington Beach) between November 18 and December 8. 
• Sign up to drop off a box of Thanksgiving food for a PSS family. Drive-thru drop-off days are Wednesday, November 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or Saturday, November 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (9812 Hamilton Ave. Huntington Beach). See more information here. 
• Shop the Amazon wish list and choose the "Gift Registry Address" in Huntington Beach to ship directly to PSS. Choose from toys and gifts that will go to specific children. 

Interested in volunteering or have another idea about how to support PSS families? Get in touch at info@pssoc.org or call (949) 478-1914. 

Holiday Food Drive • October 14, 2024 - December 6, 2024

Robyne's Nest is collecting money and non-perishable food to distribute to needy students during their winter holiday school break. Many of the students in local schools rely on the free breakfasts and lunches provided, and, unfortunately, during school holidays and breaks, those meals go away. Without Robyne's Next's help, these students would have nothing to eat. 

They are accepting monetary donations, food item donations, and even Amazon shipments. Learn more about how and what to donate here.

December 18-23, 2024

In December, both locals and visitors share the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks, and boats during the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Cruise of Lights^®. 

The funds raised from the Cruise of Lights support youth music education programs. Over the past 60 years, over six million children have participated in the Philharmonic Society's programs, thanks to the generosity of their volunteers and contributors. The Huntington Harbour Committee also gives a portion of all proceeds directly back to the schools in the immediate community. Learn more about the music programs here.

Reservations are required for this 50-minute narrated boat tour through the waterways of Huntington Harbour with cruises departing the dock at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets here. 

Waymakers offers individuals, families, and communities the steadiest, surest, safest pathways to promising outcomes. As a non-profit resource building safer communities by helping people find their way, Waymakers redirects youth offenders, helps sheltered children get back on track, unifies troubled families, resolves community conflicts, empowers victims of violence, and more. 

Below are just a few of the services they offer:

• Safe shelter in a positive home-like setting
• Emotional stability through individual, group, and family counseling
• Integration of healthy habits and coping skills
• Mitigate emotional harm caused by acts of crime
• Assure victims have a voice during criminal justice proceedings

Huntington Beach's annual Light a Light of Love ceremony, in which community members can donate proceeds to sponsor a snowflake on the historic Huntington Beach Pier, benefits Waymakers Huntington Beach Youth Shelter. 

See more options for donating here.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center serves injured and orphaned wildlife throughout Southern California. Their mission is to educate the public about man's impact on the environment and mitigate that impact through care and rehabilitation of native wildlife. The Center is open 7 days a week and 365 days a year, and is continually expanding to better serve the needs of Orange County and the surrounding areas.

See how you can help here.