NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- To honor the spirit of New Orleans, the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., (JLOCC) has pledged $10,000 plus an additional portion of its proceeds from The Christmas Company and its Opening Night Gala "Christmas in the Quarter" to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The funds will be given to the Rebuilding Together Hurricane Relief Fund.
Rebuilding Together's mission is to preserve and revitalize houses and communities, assuring that low-income homeowners, from the elderly and disabled to families with children, live in warmth, safety and independence. The organization is responding to the devastation and destruction of Hurricane Katrina with its pledge to a long-term rebuilding effort to assist families who have little chance of ever rehabilitating their homes without help. The Rebuilding Together Emergency Relief Fund will provide monetary resources to affiliates in the regions affected by this tragedy to assure that they have the capacity to provide services to low-income homeowners.
The Christmas Company's black-tie optional Opening Night Gala will feature an extensive silent auction and a coveted first glimpse of the annual shopping extravaganza showcasing 80-plus vendors. It will be held Saturday, October 15, at The Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, located at the 55 Freeway and Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.
The event's silent auction will offer a chance to bid on exciting travel packages including airfare: A trip to the Galapagos Islands includes both cruise and land elements. Canadian destinations include accommodations at Fairmont hotels in Vancouver and in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island as well as in Banff and at Lake Louise. Guests will choose among four-night stays at Hawaii's Conde-Nast Gold-List Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa and the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. A Fairmont Orchid Hawaii (Big Island) Romance Package is also offered. A New York trip complete with Broadway show tickets, and a Fairmont London Theatre Package are also offered.
The New Orleans-style Jazz Trio, Le Jazz Hot, and a D.J. are among the night's entertainment. A cigar station and golf swing analyses by Golf Tec are planned for the amusement of the intermittent shopper. A host of area restaurants will contribute heavy hors d'oeuvres and small-plate dining throughout the evening. They include Five Crowns, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Newport Landing & Harborside Restaurant & Grand Ballroom, Villa Nova, Royal Khyber, Anat Falafel Laguna, French's Cupcake Bakery, Mama Fu's Asian House, The Melting Pot, Newport Landing Restaurant, Newport Rib Company, Pavilions, and Saltwater Mexican Grill. Gallo of Sonoma will return as a beverage sponsor. An iced martini bar will be provided by Ciroc Vodka. Fiji Water will also be donated.
More than 1,200 guests attended the Opening Night Gala last year. VIP tickets, priced at $125 each, will provide access to an exclusive early reception in the "Voodoo Lounge." VIP guests will enjoy a hosted bar, hors d'oeuvres provided by JACKShrimp, and an extra hour (6-7 p.m.) to preview the silent auction and merchant booths. General Gala tickets ($75) will be available for the overall event starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.jlocc.org or by calling (949) 263-3785.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of The Christmas Company, which has raised millions of dollars for the benefit of the JLOCC's charitable projects. Current projects include Canyon Acres Children & Family Services; Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA); Impact Orange County; Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center; Casa Teresa Mentoring Program; Girls, Inc., Action for Safety Program; YMCA Youth Service Corps; and Bear Hugs. Sponsors of the event include Ciroc Vodka, Fiji Water, Abbey Event Services, Gallo of Sonoma, Pavilions, Targus and The Allergan Foundation. In addition to giving a portion of this year's proceeds to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, guests are encouraged to bring $10 cards from national retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart or Sears to be sent as part of the relief effort.
Following the opening night gala, The Christmas Company will be open to the public Sunday, October 16-Wednesday, October 19, starting at 10 a.m. Closing hours are 6 p.m. on Sunday and Wednesday; 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. Admission is $7 per person. Gift cards from national retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart or Sears valued at $7 or more will also be accepted for admission to the Shopping Extravaganza; they will be part of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.
Preferred Shopping Admission, allowing entry at 8 a.m. including breakfast on Sunday, October 16, ($30) has typically sold out in advance. Gemologist Ann Whatu of Rafinity Jewelry designs will discuss her fresh and funky jewelry during the breakfast catered by Soiree and underwritten by Green & Hall. A Luncheon Fashion Show coordinated by Pat Perkowski of Fashion Forward will be held at noon, Tuesday, October 18, ($30) catered by Champagne French Bakery. Newport Coast's Pink Wasabi will feature the 2005 resort collection by Lily Pulitzer themed "Private Island Getaway." The American Girl Fashion Show (10 a.m., 1 p.m., & 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 16, and 4 p.m., Monday, Oct. 17, $25) catered by Meyerhoff Fine Catering, will showcase local youngsters who walk the runway while cradling dolls dressed in matching attire.
The Junior League of Orange County, CA, Inc., (JLOCC) 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. The members of the JLOCC share a vision of a community in which all children and adolescents are supported to flourish and realize their hopes and dreams and a vision of the organization in which each individual member is supported and encouraged to increase her experience, knowledge, and leadership skill set in the process of becoming an effectively trained community volunteer. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.