The following information is related to donation and volunteer opportunities. If you are looking for holiday assistance, please contact your case worker or regional office.
Operation Santa Claus
The County of Orange Operation Santa Claus program provides gifts and toys to children who are abandoned, neglected, and/or abused and are placed in foster care in Orange County. In addition, Operation Santa Claus provides holiday gifts to children of disadvantaged families who are receiving services from the County of Orange.
Operation Santa Claus is a County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved program, and is the only official County holiday toy drive. Last year this program distributed over 39,000 toys and gifts, bringing joy and a message of hope to our most vulnerable children in Orange County who might otherwise have gone without. This would not be possible without the generosity and collaborative effort of County of Orange employees, churches, businesses, and individuals in the community who play an important role in collecting toys.
The Operation Santa Claus program is coordinated by the Orange County Social Services Agency, with support from community volunteers. Approximately 2,500 hours annually are graciously given by volunteers from County agencies and the community. These volunteers have been the backbone of Operation Santa Claus since its inception.
The Operation Santa Claus program has greatly expanded over the past several decades. What began as a small effort to meet the needs of a handful of children in 1962 has become a major event for the community. Each year gifts and monetary donations are selflessly donated at pickup sites throughout the county. For more information please call (714) 679-2438 or email OperationSantaClaus@ssa.ocgov.com.
Senior Santa & Friends
Senior Santa & Friends provides gifts and special request items to low income individuals who are elderly or adults who are severely disabled. The individuals are clients of Orange County Social Services Agency and/or the Orange County Health Care Agency. Each year staff identifies clients who would benefit from having such things as household appliances, special medical equipment, nutritional supplements, or clothing. Often times these individuals are isolated from family and their community. Items received through Senior Santa & Friends help to enhance the quality of life, making life easier, more comfortable or more independent. Last year Senior Santa & Friends provided almost 6,500 gifts to this vulnerable population. This was largely due to the efforts of volunteers and donations received from County employees, private companies, community based organizations and private individuals who donate to Senior Santa & Friends annually.
These tags can be displayed on trees, bulletin boards, walls, etc. Angel Tags provide gift suggestions for a child or senior in need of a gift from "Santa". An informational package will be sent with the Angel Tag order.
Taking part in an Angel Tag gift project can be a wonderful alternative to your annual gift exchange.
Checks, Gifts Cards and Cash
Monetary donations such as checks, cash, and gift cards are essential to the success of our programs. Your tax-deductible donation enables Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa & Friends to purchase gifts and other special need items for children, teens, and disabled seniors. For tax purposes, a letter of receipt will be sent to you in January so please provide your name and address on any correspondence.
Or, you can mail your check or gift certificates to:
OPERATION SANTA CLAUS SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY POST OFFICE BOX 22006 SANTA ANA, CA 92702 - 2006
Please make checks payable to: OPERATION SANTA CLAUS or SENIOR SANTA & FRIENDS.
Tangible Gifts
You can donate new/unwrapped gifts for children aged newborn to 18 years of age, as well as dependent seniors. Gifts are needed for all ages especially for toddlers and teens. Buying a gift for a needy child or adult brings back the true meaning of the holidays.
During the month of December in-kind donations can be dropped off at Operation Santa Claus located at 1505 East Warner Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Please call 714-679-2438 for hours of operation. Orange County Public Libraries and many County facilities also have drop off boxes for your convenience.
Volunteer Santas
To volunteer at Operation Santa Claus and/or Senior Santa and Friends see below: (Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older)
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