NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 11, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Free admission to The Christmas Company, the Junior League of Orange County's signature fundraiser, is available on select dates. Military personnel with a valid military-issued I.D. and their dependents will be given free entry on Veterans Day, Thurs., Nov. 11, which coincides with the event's first shopping day. In support of the Second Harvest Food Bank, whose mission is to alleviate hunger among those in need, attendees bringing four cans of food on Sun., Nov.14, will also be given free general admission, which otherwise costs $10. The Christmas Company's 35th annual event will be held Wed., Nov. 10, - Sun., Nov. 14, at the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
"The Christmas Company offers the opportunity to simplify your holiday shopping by finding more than 90 unique vendors from Orange County and across the United States all in one place," says overall chair Jaynine Warner, who was instrumental in choosing the event's theme, "Home for the Holidays." A commercial pilot, Warner flies for SkyWest Airlines. "Having your family together for Christmas is truly special and not something to take for granted," says Warner. "After leaving the military, my Dad was a Fed Ex captain. In addition, my brother has been a pilot for the Air Force and Continental Airlines, and my mother is a former flight attendant. Getting everyone home for Christmas was a rare occasion."
The Christmas Company general admission hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 11; 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri., Nov. 12; 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., Sat., Nov. 13; and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun., Nov. 14. General admission tickets ($10) are good for multi-day entry. They are available at the door and online at www.jlocc.org.
A variety of special events are also planned. A Preferred Shopping Breakfast ($35) to be held 9-11 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 11, will start the shopping extravaganza. Guests will enjoy a glass of champagne and breakfast during their exclusive two hour VIP shopping experience. No baby strollers are allowed.
A Motivational Luncheon with Olympic Medalist Janet Evans ($35), a Culinary Class and Book-Signing by award-winning restaurateur Zov Karamardian ($35), Tea Parties with "Fancy Nancy" Illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser ($25), a "Friends, Fashion & Fun" event sponsored by Macy's Mission Viejo ($15), and Breakfast with Santa ($15-$30) are also planned. Tickets to the special events and the Opening Night Gala are available at www.jlocc.org, or by calling (949) 263-3785.
The Christmas Company Opening Night Gala will be held 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 10. Restaurants including Blue Water Grill, Five Crowns, The Golden Truffle, The Melting Pot, NapaStyle, Newport Rib Company, Panera, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, and What a Dish Café and Catering will provide small plate dining. The sweets will be offered by It's All About the Cake, and others. Entertainment and Live and Silent Auctions will also be part of this event priced at $75 per person.
Sponsors for the event to-date include REO World, Dacor, Gallo Family Vineyards, Jill FM, Enterprise Counsel Group, Direct Carpet, 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 Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack Program, Crittenton Services Connect Program, Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Reading Program, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Emancipated Youth Program, Kinship Support Services Program, Bear Hugs and Bear Necessities Program, and Impact Orange County, which conducts done-in-a-day volunteer opportunities.
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 leadership of trained volunteers. JLOCC has helped found organizations such as Orangewood Children's Home and OneOC, formerly known as 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 all individuals in Orange County. 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.