The National Day of Giving, December 3

“No one has ever become poor by giving.” Anne Frank

2024 November

It’s that time again. Pumpkin lattes. Sweater weather. Turkey and stuffing. Football games. #GivingTuesday.

Every year, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is a “national day of giving.” #GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: A day that encourages people to do good. Since then, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

While giving – of time and support – is the focus of Orange County and Los Angeles Tral Lawyers’ Charities throughout the year, it is even more important as we near the holidays.

OC working to stop childhood abuse

OCTLC is busy during this “giving season,” supporting a variety of local non-profits. One of which is Laura’s House, an incredible group that provides unduplicated domestic violence-related services to residents of Orange County and beyond. Over the past 30 years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and supportive services to more than 7,500 abused women, men and children, and counseling, life skills education and legal advocacy to over 77,000 persons.

In October, OCTLC gave lots of love and sweet treats to KidWorks with its Trunk or Treat sponsorship for underprivileged children and families. In November, OCTLC will support OCTLA’s Top Gun charity, “A Quarter Blue,” with a $10,000 donation. AQB’s mission is to stop child abuse through education and referring victims of childhood molestation to local resources as well as providing trauma recovery. Finally, heading into the December holidays, OCTLC is thrilled to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of OC with their holiday giving programs by sponsoring the Winter Wonderland events and then shopping and wrapping the gifts of those boys and girls who worked hard to earn the privilege to buy gifts for their families.

LA Trial Lawyers Comfort & Joy

Following the success a few weeks ago of LATLC’s “Day of Dignity,” where hundreds of people experiencing homelessness received showers, haircuts, chiropractic adjustments, pet care, manicures, legal assistance and so much more, we are moving right into our biggest signature event, Comfort & Joy, set for December 7. Five hundred low-income families are selected by LAPD’s Newton Division and local community groups. Each family will not only receive groceries and household items, but the children will each be able to select their own toys.

We transform the parking lot at St. Patrick’s Church into a Winter Wonderland, with “snow” falling, music playing, a petting zoo, family activities, and Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arriving in a fire truck, escorted by motorcycles and fancy cars.

The morning event brings in 2,000 residents, 100 volunteers and lots of media every year. You can give through sponsorships, donate directly toward the toys and groceries (which cost around $50,000 to provide each year) and sign up to volunteer.

Give of yourself

Young Anne Frank wrote so beautifully, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” You, too, can share the richness of your time and resources by supporting OCTLC and LATLC on #Giving Tuesday – and all year round. It is very easy. Visit our websites (www.octlc.org and www.latlc.org) and give of your time by volunteering for our events, and give donations toward our projects so that those in need throughout our community will have a wonderful, and thankful, holiday season.