Event

by Imelda BuncabAugust 5, 2020 Event, Past0 comments

28th Annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Hopkins at 949.270.2137 or ehopkins@shareourselves.org.

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by Katie SantoreJuly 2, 2020 Event0 comments

50th Anniversary Celebration & Auction

Check back soon for more information about 50^th Anniversary Celebration and Auction in October!

We’ll be celebrating online all month!

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by Katie SantoreMarch 11, 2020 Event0 comments

2020 Back to School Program

Every year, SOS partners with The OC Fair & Events Center’s We Care Wednesday program to collect school supply donations to fill backpacks for our Back To School Program. With this summer’s fair canceled, this unfortunately also means the loss of these supplies. But, just as we have for the last 25 years, we are committed to providing fully stocked backpacks to local children in need.

While schools may remain closed in the fall, OC students will still need the right tools to learn. We will be purchasing backpacks already pre-filled with the necessary supplies. Help equip kids in need by supporting the SOS Back to School Program!

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donate Now

Your generous monetary donations allow us to purchase supplies in bulk and expand our reach. Looking to donate items? Check out our Amazon wish list and send donations of our most in-demand items directly to us!

Lead A Drive

Organize your own backpack and school supply drive with your corporation or social club! You can use the flyer below or contact us if you’d like other materials created.

Volunteer

Help us sort supplies and prepare backpacks! Contact Imelda Buncab at 949.270.2188 or ibuncab@shareourselves.org to sign up.

Sponsor

Fund the SOS Back to School Program’s major needs so that we can continue to provide students with the tools needed to learn. Contact Stephanie Harrington at 949.270.2166 or sharrington@shareourselves.org for more information on sponsorships.

Resources

Click here for more information on how your group can get involved!

Click here for a school supply flyer to post at your Back to School drive!

Please contact Alina Pineda at 949.536.3913 or apineda@shareourselves.org for more information about this program.

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by Katie SantoreMarch 4, 2020 Event, Past0 comments

2019 Adopt A Family Program

Costa Mesa, CA — Did you know that the SOS Adopt A Family program has been taking place every December since just before Share Our Selves began? Continuing with this amazing local tradition of care during an added time of need, Adopt a Family was able to celebrate a successful 50th anniversary with the help of thousands from the community.

With the help of school districts and organizations from Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, who were able to identify struggling families in their networks, Share Our Selves was able to match these families with generous donors and local businesses to provide both gifts and food for the holidays. The entire operation culminates in a large-scale donor drop-off event at the OC Fair & Event Center with the help of hundreds of joyful volunteers.

Through the collective efforts of all involved, this year’s program was able to provide gifts and food for over 1,490 families with 4,537 children. While the immediate intent is to provide hope and opportunity during the holiday season, the long-term goal is to provide these families with the year-round opportunities for access to the other services SOS offers.

In the 50 years of the program, Adopt A Family has provided help during the holidays to more than 52,000 families. The legacy of this program is inextricably tied to the greater community of invaluable volunteers who have put in countless hours of services, along with the thousands of donors who made the choice to bring the magic of the holidays to struggling families in Orange County.

We are incredibly humbled and grateful for the support so many of you have shared, the time you have committed, and the generosity you have shown to help make this program a reality for 50 years. We are excited to see how this program will continue to grow and thrive.

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by Katie SantoreNovember 27, 2019 Event, Past0 comments

2019 Family Service Night

Costa Mesa, CA — Share Our Selves welcomed families from the Orange County community to two events, Saturday of Service and Family Service Night, to kick off the holiday season by serving their homeless neighbors. Participants worked on projects that helped our homeless neighbors and taught children about the challenges they face. Geared towards families with children elementary school to high school age, these events provided the opportunity to introduce the next generation of OC philanthropists to issues of hunger and homelessness in our community. Throughout the night, our families helped SOS prepare for the holiday season by:

Sorting 2,000 pounds of canned and assorted goods
Packing 625 bags full of hygiene items
Packing 400 diaper kits with diapers, wipes, and hand sanitizer
Creating and decorating 150 gift card holders for our Adopt A Family program
Packing 150 lunches for our homeless clients
Preparing over 100 bags of Thanksgiving produce

Thank you to the 260 community members those who helped make this night a true success!

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by Katie SantoreOctober 26, 2019 Event, Past0 comments

2019 Celebrity Chef Dinner

Huntington Beach, CA — The 29th Annual Share Our Selves (SOS) Celebrity Chef Dinner brought over 250 generous community members together for an exciting evening of fun, delicious food and drinks, and philanthropy. The event, held at the beautiful Paséa Hotel & Spa on Friday, October 11, 2019, highlighted 12 phenomenal local chefs committed to helping those in need in Orange County. The event netted approximately $129,000 in support of the SOS Food Pantry and Comprehensive Service Center, which provides food and needed services such as rental and utilities assistance, transportation, and seasonal programs for low-income individuals and families.

The event began with an outdoor reception highlighting the beautiful beachfront location. Guests were able to mingle with chefs and beverage sponsors, enjoy live music, and learn about SOS from staff and informational signage as the sun set behind the Huntington Beach pier just across the street. The reception featured hors d’oeuvres stations, and wine and beer tastings. A wine pull gave guests the chance to buy a mystery bottle of wine for $30 that was valued anywhere from $20 to $175. The silent auction afforded attendees another chance to bid on fun items donated by local individuals and businesses.

Guests then moved to the ballroom for the first course, entrée and dessert during the live auction and program. New CEO Christy Ward addressed the crowd, speaking to her excitement in joining the SOS team. Social Services Director Michael McGlinn then gave a heartfelt talk about SOS’s homeless clients and the many measures the organization is taking to address their health and get them into housing. One-of-a-kind dinners prepared by our chefs made for an enticing live auction lineup, and emcee Zack Krone kept the frenzied bidders raising their paddles. The evening ended with a lively Fund A Need, in which bidders raised their paddles one last time to make a contribution to SOS. The Fund A Need raised over $59,000 in just over five minutes.

A huge thank you to our generous chefs, sponsors, event sponsors, Celebrity Chef Dinner Committee & volunteers for making this event a huge success!

PARTICIPATING CHEFS & MENU

Reception

James Angotti
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa

Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Caprese Salad Bites

Marco Arreguin
Puesto

Hamachi Tostada: Dashi Avocado Purée, Guajillo salsa, Hearts on Fire

Michael Beck
Hotel Irvine

Sonoma Lamb Neck Crepinette, Tomato Tapenade, Petite Frisee Salad, Lemon Vinaigrette

Octavio Flores
SOL Cocina

Short Rib Taco & Hot and Raw Ceviche

Linda Johnsen
Filomena’s Italian Kitchen & Market

Crispy Pork Belly Crostini with a Pineapple Mango Jalapeño Reduction & Pickled Red Onions

David Man
Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach

Fried Jidori Chicken with Parmesan Foam, Truffles, Lemon Powder, Maldon Salt

Eric Mickle
Orange Hill Restaurant

Seared Vintage Beef Striploin, Smoked Potato Puree, Bordelaise Sauce

Sergio Ortega
Descanso

Sweet Corn “Pozole Verde” with Roasted Sweet Corn, Pulled Pork, Poblano Tomatillo Broth, Fresh Herbs and Fennel

Alessandro Pirozzi
Pirozzi Corona del Mar, Alessá Laguna, Salerno

Mini Mamma Margherita Veal Meatball in a Slow Briased 12 hour Ragu, Micro Basil, Melted Homemade Burrata Fondue, Crostini Crumble with 24 Month Aged Reggiano, drizzed with EVOO

Prabeen Prathapan
Paséa Hotel & Spa

“Lumpia” Smoked Jidori Chicken, Rock Shrimp, House Made Sweet Chili Sauce

Rainer Schwarz
Driftwood Kitchen, Hendrix

Kune Kune Suckling Pig Panini Sandwich, Broccoli Rapini, Caramelized Onions, Raclette Cheese & Roasted Tomato & Piquillo Pepper Soup, Sharp Watercress Cream

First Course

Marco Arreguin
Puesto

Sergio Ortega
Descanso

Roasted Delicata Squash “Sope”

Featuring ingredients generously donated by Melissa’s Produce

Entrée

Prabeen Prathapan
Paséa Hotel & Spa

Linda Johnsen
Filomena’s Italian Kitchen & Market

72-hour Braised Short Rib and Crab Imperial Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, Creamy Polenta, Butternut Squash Crisp and Lemon Butter

Dessert

Rachel Klemek
Blackmarket Bakery

Andy de la Cruz
Fashion Island Hotel Newport Beach

Apple Butter Sour Cream Cheesecake with an Oat Streusel Crust, Garnished with Caramelized Apples in a Cider Reduction

Family Service Night – November 21, 2019

Share Our Selves Community Health Center
1550 Superior Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This event is at capacity. Thank you for your interest!

THE SOS FAMILY SERVICE NIGHT is a chance for your family to kick off the holiday season together by working on projects that will help our homeless neighbors and teach our kids about the challenges they face. Geared towards families with children elementary school age or younger, this night is a unique opportunity to introduce your little philanthropists to issues of hunger and homelessness in our community in a way that’s relatable and easy to understand.

Hands-on Projects and Learning Opportunities Such As:

Assembling hygiene kits
Making blankets
Creating cards with uplifting messages for our clients
Packing bags of groceries for the SOS Food Pantry

A donation of travel-sized hygiene items valued at $20 is requested for participation. Soap, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and socks are among our most needed items. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dinner will be provided.

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by Katie SantoreJune 26, 2019 Event, Past0 comments

2019 First in Family Program

Costa Mesa, CA — On June 7, 2019 the SOS First in Family College Readiness Program celebrated the achievements of 8 low-income first-generation high school seniors with a special event held at the SOS Community Health Center. The program prepares students for success in college by supplying them with laptop computers, dorm room essentials, money for textbooks, and case management support through their first year of college. SOS also helped participants select new professional attire outfits for a school presentation that they can use for job interviews and other formal occasions in the future. By working with their college guidance counselors, SOS is also ensuring that they will have the support they need once in college.

Participants in this year’s project were high school seniors from Newport Harbor High School, Costa Mesa High School, Foothill High School and Estancia High School. Each student was recommended to SOS by an advocate at their school because of their determination to overcome difficult circumstances to succeed. They also submitted an application and wrote a personal statement describing why they should be considered for this project, as well as confirmed their attendance at a college or university in the fall.

All the participants will either be the first in their family to attend college, or part of the first generation in their family to do so. Some of the schools they will be attending are the University of California, Irvine; California State University, Fullerton; Saddleback College; California State University, Bakersfield; and Orange Coast College. Here are a few of their stories (we have changed their names to protect their identities):

Jane

Jane’s motivation for performing well in school arose when she came to the United States. She is constantly trying to push herself and try new things because she wants her family back in Mexico to be proud of her. She realized that higher education would open more doors for her. She paved her way to college with great grades and perseverance. She learned English in a record time and became involved in helping other students in the ELD program. Although she wanted to follow in her family’s footsteps of education and medicine, she wants to pursue her passion of performing. Her peers and teachers are very proud of her and know that her natural leadership will allow her to accomplish anything she sets her mind to, and she believes that with hard work and her motivation, she will truly get a chance to shine.

Mary

Besides her parents, Mary’s inspiration for attending college is her fourth-grade teacher, who shared stories about her college experience and showed Mary what she could accomplish if she followed her heart. Mary has demonstrated her ability to be a dedicated student by the amount of work she has taken on. From competing on both the soccer and volleyball teams to keeping up with demanding courses such as AP Calculus, she has shown her peers and teachers that she is more than prepared for college. She plans to pursue a business degree at the University of California, Irvine. She is self-motivated and hopes to make her parents –who sacrificed their education for her well-being – proud.

Jason

Jason has a passion for helping others. As a young boy he was raised in another country and moving back to the United States, his country of origin, was a difficult task. He thanks his counselors and teachers who taught how this new world worked and the English language. His passion for helping others expanded when he was helped by his counselors to learn English and reach his goals. His new goal became attending college to be a counselor and help students transition from high school to college, as his counselors and teachers have helped him. His leadership skills and school involvement have allowed him to move forward through high school successfully. His counselors and teachers describe him as a natural leader and supportive team player. He is motivated to be the first person in his family to graduate from college and give back in the way that his counselors did for him.

The students and their invited guests gathered at SOS in Costa Mesa on Friday afternoon to celebrate their acceptance into the SOS First in Family College Readiness Program and accept their college supplies. Each student received a laptop computer and a $100 gift card for Amazon for textbooks. Student attending a community college got a backpack filled with school supplies, while those who will be living on campus got luggage with dorm supplies including hangers, towels, sheets and a hygiene kit. As a special surprise, SOS procured a sweatshirt for each student from their college or university. Many of the schools donated these items for the students.

Speakers at the event on Friday included community facilitator Maria Barragan from Estancia High School, who spoke about the school’s senior project and the history of the collaboration with SOS; SOS Director of Social Services Michael McGlinn; a student panel featuring past program participants; and the keynote speaker, Megan Lattimer, who spoke about her experiences helping those in need at the OCC food pantry. The event included dinner and cake for the participants and their families.

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our community. Their kind donations of funds, college supplies and hygiene items allowed SOS to provide each student with a wonderful care package that will make the transition to college as effortless as possible.

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by Katie SantoreJune 19, 2019 Event, Past0 comments

2019 Back to School Program

Children living in poverty start their school year at a large disadvantage. Without crucial school supplies, these students cannot fully participate in classroom activities or complete their homework. SOS’s annual Back To School Program was launched in 1994 with the goal of closing the educational gap for low-income K-12 students.

Last year’s program provided approximately 4,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to local students. With your support, we will continue to grow both the number of students served as well as the resources offered. Thank you for helping us bring joy and learning to those in need.