Giving Tuesday, Share Joy In Newport Beach This Christmas

NEWPORT BEACH, CA —It's almost Giving Tuesday once again! One of my fondest memories of childhood was a Christmas shopping trip with my mother when she handed me a card for a boy named Ruben. He was my age, about 13 at the time, and his Christmas wish list nearly brought me to my knees.

It was 1980-something. My wish list to the man in red included a stack of newly pressed record albums and a turntable to play them on. I asked for a Sony Walkman and a telephone for my room. Possibly a Swatch watch.

Ruben's list included a warm coat. A new pair of shoes without holes and socks to go with them. He wanted something they could cook for Christmas dinner.

We attacked his Christmas list with abandon, finding what he asked for and doubling, tripling his requests. We filled a bag with clothes, necessities, and a portable radio like I had wanted. Of all the Christmases in memory, this is the one that stands out most of all.

This year in Newport Beach, you can have the opportunity to provide Christmas to someone in need, as well. The city of Newport Beach supports Operation Christmas For Our Troops & Their Families to make the holidays brighter for military personnel and their families.

Interested community members may drop off new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment, new or used DVDs, and gift cards at the following locations:

• Newport Beach City Hall, 100 Civic Center Drive - Revenue (1A), Community Development (1C), City Clerk's Office (2E)
• OASIS Senior Center, 801 Narcissus Avenue
• Newport Coast Community Center, 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road
• Marina Park Community & Sailing Center, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd.
• Police Department, 870 Santa Barbara Drive
• Balboa Peninsula Fire Station #1, 110 E. Balboa Blvd.
• Lido Fire Station #2, 475 32nd Street
• Fashion Island Fire Station #3, 868 Santa Barbara Drive
• Balboa Island Fire Station #4, 124 Marine Avenue
• Corona del Mar Fire Station #5, 410 Marigold Avenue
• Mariners Fire Station #6, 1348 Irvine Avenue
• Santa Ana Heights Fire Station #7, 20401 Acacia Street
• Newport Coast Fire Station #8, 6502 Ridge Park Road
• Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Avenue
• Newport Beach Association of Realtors, 401 Old Newport Blvd.; Suite 100
• Balboa Library, 100 E. Balboa Blvd.
• Crean Mariners Library, 1300 Irvine Avenue
• Corona del Mar Library, 410 Marigold Avenue

Donations will be accepted now through 12 p.m. on Monday, December 23. Military personnel pick up donations on the afternoon of Monday, December 23.

The "Newport Beach Association of Realtors" is also having a Holiday Charity Mixer with a dropoff on December 3, 2019 at The Bungalow - Corona Del Mar (2441 East Coast Highway, CDM, CA 92625) from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Our event is being sponsored by Guaranteed Property & Mold Inspections-www.gpinspect.com and Angleo Termite & Construction - www.angelotermite.com and will be open to the public to drop off toy donations or $20 at the door, all proceeds going to Operation Christmas - Newport Beach Fire Department.

"This is a Realtor focused event we have each year to help raise the donations," a spokesperson said. Please call the Association at (949) 722-2300 for any questions or if you plan to attend and are not a member with us.