If you’re purging closets and the garage, Goodwill of Orange County has a new donation center for drop-offs.
The nonprofit opened the donation center in the parking area of Irvine United Congregational Church. Drop-offs can be made on Fridays and Saturdays only.
“Donations are the lifeblood of our organization; they provide the fuel for our mission work to connect people with meaningful career opportunities,” said Nicole Suydam, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “We are proud to be back in the city of Irvine and look forward to building deeper relationships with the many generous donors in the community.”
There is an attendant at the site, Goodwill says. Residents can drop off “gently used goods” (not your trash) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Fridays and Saturdays.
And stay tuned: Goodwill OC is also opening its 25th store on April 26 in Fountain Valley.
This latest store will include a new in-store boutique concept.
The Irvine donation center is at 4915 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, 92604. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Upcycle your paper, e-waste and help CHOC, too
And for all you paper purgers, we found an event just for you, too.
Orange County’s Credit Union in Santa Ana is hosting a shred and e-waste day fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20.
The event, which will benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County with customer donations, is being held “in partnership” with Shred Confidential and California Electronics Recycler.
Participants can recycle unwanted documents and electronic waste.
Personal documents include mail, old bank statements, paycheck stubs and even credit cards. Each customer can shred up to two banker boxes.
E-waste such as cell phones, televisions, computers, printers, hard drives, and other devices also can be unloaded, freeing your garage of myriad clutter.
The credit union said all accepted recycled materials will be redeemed for a cash donation benefiting the CHOC KidsCARE fund. The fund helps care teams with the medical needs of children and families.
The credit union notes the shred event will last until the truck is full or noon, whichever comes first.
Address: 1721 East Saint Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Filmfest at Chapman U celebrates women, community
A film festival that combines female directors and producers and community fundraising is coming to the Marion Knott Theater at Chapman University.
The Zonta Filmfest, formerly called Lunafest, is being held from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20.
The six short films run between 5 and 26 minutes and include “When Beverly Met Reita,” “Queen Moorea,” “A Piece of Myself,” Seeing with Hawaiian Eyes,” “Hurricane Hannah” and “Moonflower.”
Organizers say the fundraiser will help the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor support its advocacy programs in the region.
Half of the net proceeds is going to Laura’s House, a nonprofit that helps women suffering from domestic violence, and the other half will go toward scholarships for female film students at Dodge College of Film & Media Studies at Chapman.
In addition to the films, the film fest includes light bites, a silent auction and a raffle for a one-week vacation for four to Kauai.
To buy tickets or support Zonta Club, go to zontanhfilmfest.org/purchase-tickets or zontanewportharbor.com
Garden show returns to South Coast Plaza
Exotic flowers spun into art returns to South Coast Plaza later this month for the 34th annual Southern California Spring Garden Show.
The four-day event is being held April 25-28 in the retail center’s Crate & Barrel/Macy’s wing.
The show includes unique plants and garden vendors for anyone on the hunt for garden resources.
The centerpiece of the show is a 25-foot natural centerpiece and the Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE exhibit.
The sale will feature “unique, hard-to-find, and collectible plants.”
On the move
Michael Jernigan, Shawna Snyder and Stephen Schneider all were recently promoted at Avanti Restaurant Solutions in Costa Mesa. The commercial kitchen equipment contractor works with national and regional restaurants. Jernigan as vice president of Design & Build specializes in high-end restaurant and commercial food-service design. Snyder as vice president of National Accounts oversees the chain account teams. Schneider as VP of Finance comes after the firm won the 2023 Cultural Icon award.
Christine M. Walker-Bowman as its newest board member at the Mission Preservation Foundation in San Juan Capistrano. She is co-president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank Foundation and first vice president of Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach.
Fundraisers
Actors John Stamos and Buck Taylor, along with former Los Angeles Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo, were all on hand as Santa Ana-based Illumination Foundation raised $1.5 million at its 11th annual Chef’s Table gala. The event was held March 24 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, raising money to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing housing and healthcare to people experiencing homelessness. More than 400 people, businesses, and community leaders contributed to the cause. Stamos’ sister, Alaina Stamos, is Illumination’s vice president of development.
Status Update is compiled and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
