NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 4, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., (JLOCC) has set the date for The Christmas Company, its annual shopping extravaganza. The event will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, - Sunday, Nov. 16, at the OC Fair & Event Center located at Fair Drive and the 55 Freeway in Costa Mesa.
Sandra Thompson, Ph.D, is chairing this year's event themed, "A Holiday to Remember." "In our 33rd year, The Christmas Company, a holiday shopping event, will have a contemporary new look," says Thompson. "We're planning an exciting fundraiser that incorporates new activities with long-standing traditions. We hope you'll join us to share in our success!"
The Christmas Company attendees will have the opportunity to shop from over100 unique vendors from Orange County and across the United States. Many special events also will be included in The Christmas Company, which will kick off with a Preferred Shopping Breakfast ($35) 8-11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 13. The first night will feature a "Girls Night Out"($20) sponsored by Gallo Family Vineyards to be held 6-10 p.m.
An "Evening of Food & Wine" ($75) will be held 6-10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14. Gallo Family Vineyard wines will be available along with small plate dishes provided by local restaurants and bakeries including Five Crowns, Bluewater Grill, Ovations, RA Sushi, Newport Rib Company, Five Sweets Bakery, and Pure Bliss.
Additional special occasions include a luncheon for the "Red Hat Ladies" ($20) celebrating Red Hat Society members at Noon, Saturday, Nov. 15. Book readings for children will be held Noon-2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16.
Early Bird "Grab and Go" Shopping ($20) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday begins at 8 a.m. Guests will enjoy a continental breakfast and shop before the event opens to the public. No baby strollers are allowed at the Preferred Breakfast and Early Bird events.
The Christmas Company general admission is $10 per person, which includes entrance to the shopping extravaganza and parking. General admission show hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13; 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16. Tickets will be available for purchase online at www.jlocc.org or by calling (949) 263-3785.
Top sponsors of the event to-date include Gallo Family Vineyards; Panera Bread Company; Tigo Gifts, Inc.; Winchell Chiropractic; and Orange Coast Magazine.
Funds raised annually by the JLOCC directly impact the community through collaborative projects with partner organizations and support JLOCC's mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. This year's projects include the Kinship Project and Bridges to Higher Education, both offered through Orangewood Children's Foundation; Higher Education Mentoring Program (in partnership with the Orange County Bar Foundation); Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Emancipated Youth Program; and Bear Hugs, a JLOCC project supporting emancipated teens in Orange County.
About the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc.
The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. JLOCC has contributed to Orange County by helping found organizations such as Orangewood Children's Home and the Volunteer Center of Orange County. As a solely educational and charitable organization, the JLOCC's trained volunteers actively support the community through collaboration with organizations that promote and support the health, safety and education of women and children. A 501(c)(3) organization, the JLOCC reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins. Originally founded in 1956 as the Newport Harbor Service League, the JLOCC is a member organization of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.