Gift Cards

A Christmas countdown of holiday gift drives is being held at Fashion Island on Saturdays to benefit three local charities. A toy drive was hosted by Becksrand Cancer Foundation on Saturday. The foundation's three youth auxiliaries — Four Pearls, Junior Pearls and Mini Pearls — collected 150 new, unwrapped gifts for children in their BELIEVE program, according to a news release. The drive had a massive increase compared with last year's net of 50 toys because of efforts put forth by a past program recipient, who spent numerous hours raising awareness in the community, said Kaerie Ray, director of development.

Shirley Van Pelt is doing her part to say thanks to local firefighters who recently fought the blazes that overwhelmed Southern California. She and her friends contributed funds to purchase gift cards for firefighters at Balboa Island through Mariner’s Church. The church is accepting donations of $50 to purchase the gift cards that will send firefighters to a free dinner at local restaurants. The church is encouraging the local community to come together to show support and thanks.

Fashion Island and Laura’s House will join up to hold a Holiday Gift Card Drive from noon to 4 p.m. Friday that will benefit the Spirit of Empowerment program at Laura’s House. The cards will be used to provide Christmas gifts to children and mothers residing at Laura’s House, a local shelter for battered women and their children. The organization’s gift card wish list includes grocery, pharmacy and gas cards; local chain restaurant and fast food gift cards; department and book store gift cards; and clothing and shoe store gift cards appropriate for a variety of ages.

COSTA MESA — The clothing and accessories store that made girls hip, chic and forever young at affordable prices will open Saturday at South Coast Plaza. The 43,000-square-foot, two-story Forever 21 takes up a large part of Sears' location at the center. Sears Holdings and the retailer with a cult-like following of young shoppers reached an agreement late last year that allowed Forever21 to open within Sears, while also keeping both competitive. The new Forever 21 adds to the experience and diverse retailers — from young and hip to high-end couture — offered to shoppers at South Coast Plaza, said the center's executive director of marketing, Debra Gunn Downing.

In time for National Administrative Assistants Day, which is Wednesday, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill in Costa Mesa is holding a “Super Secretaries Search” to reward under-appreciated administrative assistants. Z’Tejas is asking the public to nominate those who go above and beyond the call of duty. A panel of judges will hear the top five finalists’ stories, then select the winner during a luncheon at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The finalist will receive a $500 in restaurant gift cards.

Lions Clubs International has made an emergency grant for wildfire victims in Southern California through the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club. The $10,000 grant will be distributed Nov. 30. Two local Lions, both past district governors for Lions District 4L4, will deliver gift cards and vouchers to local groups. Mike Scheafer and Barbara Hayward of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions have been designated by Lions Clubs International to coordinate the giving efforts. Scheafer and Hayward will deliver the funds to the Inter-Canyon League and Modjeska Ranch Rescue, an animal relief organization.

Costa Mesa High School cheerleaders have launched their annual toy drive this year, but unlike past ones, this time they’re aiming specifically to help local families. The girls will be collecting toys and gift cards and donating them to needy families within the high school’s zone set up by the district. That means families with children at College Park, Davis, Killybrooke, Paularino and Sonora elementary schools will get assistance this year. Normally, donations are sent to the Childrens Hospital of Orange County, or the Boys & Girls Club of America.

Local churches and nonprofit organizations including Mariners Church, Rock Harbor Church, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church and Hope Force International are joining to assemble more than 2,000 gift baskets that will be delivered to firefighters and their families throughout Orange County in the next week. MarinersResources.org, a program affiliated with Mariners Church, brings churches and businesses together to help community members in need, and operates a 12,000-square-foot warehouse on Sunflower and Main in Santa Ana. The group mobilized during last week’s fires, distributing relief supplies such as blankets, pillows, toiletries, bottled water and nonperishable food collected from the community to fire victims.

Marisa O'Neil When a plan to help out needy families at Sonora Elementary School started to fall apart, Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley knew exactly where to go. She went to her contact list and sent out about 150 pleas for help. Now, parents, lawyers and clowns are signed on to adopt 20 local families for the holidays. "I'm doing it because I want to give to those less fortunate than I am," Foley said. "It's a good way to give during the holiday season."

SANTA ANA - The convoy made its way across the street and up the stairs with 12-year-old Bella Anderson bringing up the rear with four oversized Nordstrom shopping bags stuffed with presents. At Apartment 103 - the number scribbled on the door - the party gingerly walked inside, packing the living room of the studio-turned-two-bedroom apartment where four members of the Murillo family waited. Moms Rebecca Anderson and Christina Murillo broke the ice with a nice-to-meet-you hug that brought tears to their eyes.

COSTA MESA — The clothing and accessories store that made girls hip, chic and forever young at affordable prices will open Saturday at South Coast Plaza. The 43,000-square-foot, two-story Forever 21 takes up a large part of Sears' location at the center. Sears Holdings and the retailer with a cult-like following of young shoppers reached an agreement late last year that allowed Forever21 to open within Sears, while also keeping both competitive. The new Forever 21 adds to the experience and diverse retailers — from young and hip to high-end couture — offered to shoppers at South Coast Plaza, said the center's executive director of marketing, Debra Gunn Downing.

IRVINE — City Council members last week unanimously approved a set of business-friendly initiatives. Some of the initiatives, which encourage local purchases, will be implemented in the coming weeks, while others were sent back to city staff for review. The council was presented with 15 initiatives intended to stimulate local business growth and consumer spending, including lowering fees and a cell phone application, at a total cost of $373,000, according to the staff report.

This week's O.C. Bargainista will focus on last-minute gift ideas that still keep you from paying full price. Yes, the deals are out there — if you know where to look! Give the gift of plastic money Finding it difficult to evaluate all of the gift card bonus offerings this season? Many restaurants and movie theatres are offering a bonus card with purchase; look for offers that give at least a $10 bonus card for every $50 purchased (a few will offer $15 for every $50)

A Christmas countdown of holiday gift drives is being held at Fashion Island on Saturdays to benefit three local charities. A toy drive was hosted by Becksrand Cancer Foundation on Saturday. The foundation's three youth auxiliaries — Four Pearls, Junior Pearls and Mini Pearls — collected 150 new, unwrapped gifts for children in their BELIEVE program, according to a news release. The drive had a massive increase compared with last year's net of 50 toys because of efforts put forth by a past program recipient, who spent numerous hours raising awareness in the community, said Kaerie Ray, director of development.

Want to spread some holiday cheer? Enjoy a burger — and for a good cause — by participating in Talk About Curing Autism's Adopt-A-Family fundraiser with Ruby's Diner. From Nov. 18 to 21, seven Ruby's locations in Orange County, including the Irvine Spectrum, Corona del Mar and South Coast Plaza diners, will be donating 20% of their proceeds to families in need. TACA chose Ruby's diners because of their appeal to families and the comfortable environment they would provide for the families TACA serves.

In time for National Administrative Assistants Day, which is Wednesday, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill in Costa Mesa is holding a “Super Secretaries Search” to reward under-appreciated administrative assistants. Z’Tejas is asking the public to nominate those who go above and beyond the call of duty. A panel of judges will hear the top five finalists’ stories, then select the winner during a luncheon at 11 a.m. Tuesday. The finalist will receive a $500 in restaurant gift cards.

Adams Elementary kids taught unsuspecting Target shoppers to “pay it forward” Thursday. The sixth-graders, members of the new Club Pay It Forward, spent several weeks collecting and recycling plastic bottles on campus. Then they used the $100 they raised to purchase four $25 gift cards to the store. On Thursday morning, they randomly picked four shoppers at the Costa Mesa Target and gave them the cards — with a request that the recipients do something nice for three people that day. “The idea is to pay it forward,” teacher Matt Broesamle said.

Fashion Island and Laura’s House will join up to hold a Holiday Gift Card Drive from noon to 4 p.m. Friday that will benefit the Spirit of Empowerment program at Laura’s House. The cards will be used to provide Christmas gifts to children and mothers residing at Laura’s House, a local shelter for battered women and their children. The organization’s gift card wish list includes grocery, pharmacy and gas cards; local chain restaurant and fast food gift cards; department and book store gift cards; and clothing and shoe store gift cards appropriate for a variety of ages.

Costa Mesa High School cheerleaders have launched their annual toy drive this year, but unlike past ones, this time they’re aiming specifically to help local families. The girls will be collecting toys and gift cards and donating them to needy families within the high school’s zone set up by the district. That means families with children at College Park, Davis, Killybrooke, Paularino and Sonora elementary schools will get assistance this year. Normally, donations are sent to the Childrens Hospital of Orange County, or the Boys & Girls Club of America.