Childhelp’s Orange County Chapter will hold its annual fall gala on Saturday, October 21st, 2023, at the Newport Beach Country Club. The theme this year is “P.S. I Love You”, a Palm Springs Mid-Century Gala where we’ll be traveling back in time to the glamorous nights when Hollywood A-Listers made Palm Springs their desert oasis getaway destination. There will be something for everyone with entertainment, dinner, dancing and casino style gambling. This will be an evening to remember, but we need your help. Would you consider donating items that we can use in our Live and Silent auctions at our event?

For over 60 years Childhelp has been meeting the physical, emotional and educational needs of abused, neglected and at-risk children. Your donation changes each life by providing the necessary tools to heal emotional wounds and allowing at-risk children to grow into their potential and break the cycle of abuse. In California, our programs include our National Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD, trained therapeutic foster homes and our three Costa Mesa Group Homes. Please visit childhelp.org for more information regarding programs Childhelp offers across the country.

This year we are very pleased to honor Childhelp Member, Kristen James, with the Benevolent Heart Award. Kristen has had a special place in our hearts since she joined Childhelp 16 years ago. Not only has she been our Chapter President, but she started the Wings Chapter here in Orange County and was also instrumental in initiating our Fall Gala a decade ago. Her vintage shop in Costa Mesa, Good Buy James, donates a portion of every sale to Childhelp, greatly impacting the children in our care.

This event is put on by volunteers, like ourselves, not paid staff. We are proud to report that last year Childhelp touched the lives of over 150,000 children and for each dollar expended, over 83 cents is invested into serving the children in need of our program services. Visit our event website at one.bidpal.net/childhelpocfallgala2023/welcome for more details on the event, sponsorship and donation opportunities.

Please feel free to contact Gina Van Ocker, Auction Chair, for more information at 949-244-8831 or vanockergina@hotmail.com