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. 

Pacific City • November 28, 2023 - December 17, 2023

Pacific City is one of 54 locations for a Light the World Giving Machine this holiday season! 

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 28, 2023. The launch, which coincides with Giving Tuesday, 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. 

Local non-profit beneficiaries this year include: 

• Children's Health of Orange County (CHOC)
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center
• Boys and Girls Club
• To Ukraine with Love 

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:

• Want to shop in person? Drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts at First Christian Church (1207 Main St., Huntington Beach) on the following dates: 
  • Wednesday, November 29th: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, December 1st: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Want to shop online? 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. 
• Want to donate and have PSS do the shopping? Donate here.

Interested in volunteering or have another idea about how to support PSS families? Contact Stephanie at s.graney@pssoc.org or (949) 873-0597.

Winter Break Food Drive • November 27, 2023 - December 15, 2023

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.

Product Donations

From gift cards and grocery cards to food, school supplies, and toiletries, Robyne's Nest is happy to accept donations in most forms. Click HERE to make a donation. 

December 16-18 and 21-23

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.

Giving Tuesday • November 28, 2023

WWCC will be hosting some matching dollar campaigns on November 28 in honor of Giving Tuesday. Follow them on social media to stay up-to-date on further details. 

Holiday Happy Hour • December 1, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participants can choose between making an online Holiday Catalog donation or purchasing a ticket to the in-person event on December 1. Admission includes light hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine, hospital tour, and raptor demonstration. Any type of donation represents symbolic support of one of the patients the WWCC annually rehabilitates. Learn more HERE. 

Animal's Rock Christmas Benefit Show • December 15, 2023 from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Surf Dog's Sports Grill is hosting a benefit concert for the WWCC featuring bands The Zzyzx Road Band and Better Dayz. The show is free to attend, but there will be a donation jar passed around at the event. Christmas attire is encouraged and kids are welcome!

Opening Party • December 12, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For every meal sold during their Opening Party on December 12, Sweetgreen (opening in 5 Points Plaza next to Trader Joe's) will be donating a meal to Food Finders to nourish people in Huntington Beach experiencing food insecurity. This will round out a fun-filled day of live music, cookie decorating, cocoa and coffee, and more!