In the season of giving, make a difference by supporting local food kitchen serving the homeless

Costa Mesa, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/10/2009 -- While the rest of us worry about finding the perfect Christmas tree or the prettiest wrapping paper, there is a sizeable group of people in Orange County who have a simpler holiday wish: food and shelter. Determined to help these less fortunate individuals, local business owner Corey Donaldson has launched a dynamic campaign to raise $40,000 in 40 days for the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. And thanks to a tremendously generous anonymous donor, any contribution of up to $10,000 will be matched, dollar for dollar.

"We forget that there are plenty of people, right here in our own backyard, who desperately need our help," said Donaldson, a Costa Mesa resident who began helping the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen last year when the organization was hard-hit by the downturned economy. "There are a lot of misperceptions about the type of people that benefit from the soup kitchen. These are people from cities including Costa Mesa, Newport, Irvine and Laguna Beach who are in a tough spot for some reason or another. Some are simply on a tight budget and can't afford groceries, and others have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis."

Currently, the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen serves more than 300 guests per day, seven days per week. Meals are provided Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m., and a pancake breakfast is served every Saturday and Sunday morning. Of those served, approximately 25 percent are families with school-aged children, 30 percent are homeless, 20 percent are working poor or unemployed, 10 percent are mentally or physically challenged and 15 percent are senior citizens.

In 2008, Donaldson successfully spearheaded a campaign to raise $30,000 in 30 days for the soup kitchen's holiday programs—and this year was determined to step up the donation amount with his "$40K in 40 Days" initiative. The money raised will go toward helping the soup kitchen give 400 backpacks to the homeless; 800 backpacks filled with holiday gifts to children; and a holiday dinner serving up to 1,200 individuals. The remaining funds will go toward the soup kitchen's ongoing programs, including its tutoring center for at-risk kids.

To play your part in helping the underprivileged in Orange County, visit http://www.someonecares40kin40days.com where you can learn more about Donaldson's campaign or make a donation via PayPal. For those who want to see their money double, donations will be matched until Dec. 15; but contributions can be made until Dec. 20. A "Happy Hour for the Holidays" fundraising event also will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Woody's Wharf in Newport Beach, and will feature appetizers, DJ Johnny Paris and more than 40 silent auction items.

About Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
The mission of Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is simple: to feed a daily nutritional meal to the homeless, the unemployed, the working poor, the mentally challenged, the physically challenged, the senior citizens and most important of all—the children. Driven by the belief that no one should go to bed hungry, on the street or otherwise, the soup kitchen provides a nutritious and tasteful meal to the less fortunate in the Orange County community; a meal that people would be proud to serve their family at home; a well-balanced meal made fresh daily consisting of vegetable soup, lettuce and fruit salads, hearty and filling side dishes, breads and muffins, dessert, milk and water. Located in Costa Mesa, CA, the Soup Kitchen provides this meal to guests in a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere. For more information, visit http://www.someonecareskitchen.org.

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Local Club Invites Community to Join in Raising Funds for the Families of Our Dedicated Troops

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/20/2009 -- The Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita today announced it has joined forces with the Saddleback Valley YMCA and Camp Pendleton Armed Service YMCA, Boy Scouts of America Troop 636, and the Tesoro High School Interact Club to launch a comprehensive Marine relief initiative called Families Left Behind. The program will assist the families of the thousands of U.S. Marines now serving faithfully in Iraq and Afghanistan—collecting funds to provide them with food, incidentals and other extraordinary expenses for the holidays through the base YMCA.

"Our goal is to make life a little easier for those left behind by the brave Marines fighting for our country," said John Carpenter, president of the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Ranch Santa Margarita, said. "The holiday season is the ideal time of year for us to demonstrate our support to the military, and the Rotary Club is honored to play our part. By pooling our resources, our community can make a profound impact just by giving these families one or two fewer things to worry about during these months."

As the holiday season approaches, Families Left Behind is requesting the support of local businesses and the community in order to raise much-needed funds that will directly help the wives and children of Marines now fighting overseas. Also committed to the cause, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 636 and the Tesoro High School Interact Club will be collecting donations outside local grocery stores.

The holiday marine relief fund drive will kick off Nov. 1 and continue through Dec. 10. Donations can be made to The Rotary Foundation of Coto de Caza/Trabuco Canyon, P.O. Box 80914, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688. All donations to Families Left Behind are 100 percent tax deductable.

About the Rotary Club
The Rotary Club of Coto de Caza/Rancho Santa Margarita, also known as Coto Rancho Rotary Club was founded in 1983 by members of the Rotary Club of Mission Viejo. Originally named the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza, the club was renamed in 2001 to include the new city of Rancho Santa Margarita. Coto Rancho Rotary Club is a service club with members from diverse business, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Its members are business professionals and philanthropists who live and/or work in Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita and Ladera Ranch. Club members meet weekly to share fellowship and to plan community, international and vocational service projects. If you have an interest in Rotary, please contact Ken Upton at (949) 253-5892.

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Halloween Specials and Spirited Fun

Tustin, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/29/2009 -- The first 500 kids will receive a free trick-or-treat bag if they stop by Angelic Boutique, while supplies last, and the majority of stores will be handing out free candy. In addition, several of the bars and restaurants will be offering Halloween specials, including:

• A free "pumpkin mask" coupon at Facelogic Spa to all adults who come in with a child;
• $3 "scary shots" and $6 "Hallotinis" at Chaparosa Grill, plus a free dessert with the purchase of a full-priced entree to anyone who comes in with a costume;
• A free kids' meal coupon to all trick-or-treaters at Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant, while supplies last; and
• A "Fall Fest" at Whole Foods from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and a kids' event from 1-3 p.m.

The event will also feature live music on The District Stage, located just in front of Borders Books and Music, as well as in front of AMC Tustin 14. Adding to the fun will be a balloon artist and face painter. Afterward, guests are invited to stay and watch Monsters vs. Aliens on The District at Tustin Legacy's large video wall, also located in front of Borders Books and Music, starting at 6 p.m.

About The District at Tustin Legacy
The District at Tustin Legacy is Orange County's newest shopping and entertainment destination. A one million square-foot lifestyle center boasting your favorite retailers such as: Whole Foods Market, Costco, Target, Lowe's and TJ Maxx/Home Goods. The District also has many specialty retail shops, including, Pinkberry, and Yabe Optik; as well as, service and health & beauty focused businesses like Wells Fargo Bank, Legacy Cleaners, Facelogic, and Mode Salon Aveda. Pei Wei Asian Diner, Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Bistro West, Marmalade Cafe and The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar are just a few of the many dining options that can be found here.

However, what really sets The District apart from other shopping experiences is The District Promenade, which is positioned at the center of the venue featuring a variety of entertainment, retail, and dining options such as: Madison Bleu, Angelic Boutique, JT Schmid's Restaurant & Brewery, RA Sushi, Auld Dubliner Irish Pub, Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant and AMC Tustin 14. To learn more, visit http://www.thedistricttl.com.

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