Holiday Party, December 20, 2008

The auditorium at the Irvine Onnuri Church was turned into a Winter Wonderland for the 43 families in IF's program for 2008's Holiday Party. Gingerbread houses waiting to be decorated, face painting, and pictures with Santa gave the children a night to remember.

Pacific Life and IF Volunteers turned the auditorium at the Irvine Onnuri Church into a winter wonderland. The families in IF''s program were transported from their “new homes” in buses rented from the Costa Mesa school district. Upon arrival, each family was encouraged to have a family photo taken in front of the festive stage. Dinner was an Italian feast (catered by Lett-Uce Cater to You) of lasagna, salads, pasta, rolls and a pastry selection sure to make every sweet tooth smile!

With gingerbread houses to decorate, faces to paint and balloon creations by Malinda, the children were glowing with joy and excitement. Everyone was entertained with the music of Jelani Diaz. Once homeless himself, Jelani, has turned his life around with music. He is one of the featured artists on Shelter Me, a music compilation featuring some of Orange County''s talented homeless musicians.?The main event was Santa. “Taxi Santa” aka Gerhard "Wolf" Apel, who was once homeless himself and is now a taxi driver, donated his services. Santa was delivered trucks, dolls and toys generously donated by Toys R Us, the Haynes Fund and many others. Beautiful, handmade quilts (created and donated by Katie Dunbar) were given to the families with the smallest children.With gingerbread houses to decorate, faces to paint and balloon creations by Malinda, the children were glowing with joy and excitement. Everyone was entertained with the music of Jelani Diaz. Once homeless himself, Jelani, has turned his life around with music. He is one of the featured artists on Shelter Me, a music compilation featuring some of Orange County''s talented homeless musicians.?The main event was Santa. “Taxi Santa” aka Gerhard "Wolf" Apel, who was once homeless himself and is now a taxi driver, donated his services. Santa was delivered trucks, dolls and toys generously donated by Toys R Us, the Haynes Fund and many others. Beautiful, handmade quilts (created and donated by Katie Dunbar) were given to the families with the smallest children.

The Home for the Holidays Celebration was more than anyone had dreamed it could have been. To all of us, it is apparent that the spirit of the season was alive and flourishing.

  • Irvine Onnuri Church
  • Pacific Life Volunteers:
    • Brenda Hardwig
    • Clay Hardwig
    • Alyssa Nunez
    • Cathy Egan
    • Diana Rodriguez
    • Will Tran
    • Norman Lay
    • Jackie Williams
    • Lisa Rigdon
    • Lisa Lowrey
    • Beth Stelcik
  • Lett-Uce Cater to You:
    • Johnny Mosham
    • Nancy Boldizar
    • Rubeil Mendoza
    • Tim Murphy
  • Sam's Club (Diane Breedlove)
  • Costa Mesa School District
  • Becky Stone
  • Jelani Diaz
  • Bach Le
  • Maddie Bauer
  • Chelsie Belmont
  • Haynes Fund
  • Bolland Family
  • Cho Family
  • Currim Family
  • Metzger Family
  • Roth Family
  • Tran Family
  • Scott Hayes
  • Laila Karamally
  • Christina Mainero
  • McKenna Marmelstein
  • Curtis and Martha Matlock
  • Tony's Treehouse
  • Tuan Nguyen