Season of Sharing to Hit the Road

HomeAid's Season of Sharing, now in its fourth year, was originally launched in 2000 to celebrate the then-new Fashion Island Santa’s House built by Newport Beach custom homebuilder and HomeAid Project Playhouse contributor, Dave Mulvaney of Mulvaney & Co., Inc.

At that time, HomeAid, Dave and his wife, Linda - who provided the interior design for Santa’s Orange County digs - struck a deal with the center stipulating that a percentage of photo profits be directed to HomeAid’s shelter development program. In addition to the money, Fashion Island generously agreed to contribute a designated shelter day where underprivileged children receive gifts and free photos to celebrate the time they shared their dreams with a white haired guy in a soft red suit. Thus, in the spirit of the holidays and the HomeAid spirit of partnership, Season of Sharing was born!

As happens with good ideas like this one, they often take on a life of their own. Such was the case a couple of weeks ago when a winter storm all but rained out Season of Sharing 2003. But, it takes more that a little precipitation to dampen a great concept… “if the kids can’t come to Santa – then,” it was decided, "Santa will go to the kids."

And so, the bourgeoning Plan “B” - slated to be launched on December 22^nd - came into being. On Monday, rain or shine the HomeAid staff, the Mulvaneys and friends will take Season of Sharing Part II on the road. Armed with toys and gifts, donated by the Mulvaney and Pierce families, this dedicated group will play Santa to hundreds of children who live in local shelters for temporarily homeless.

Fashion Island, the Mulvaney’s, their family and friends exemplify the thousands of companies and individuals who step up year after year to aid the more than 28,000 homeless residing in affluent Orange County. For information on how you can help, or for details on year-end contributions including appreciated securities gift donations, please call HomeAid Orange County (949) 553-9510 or visit www.homeaidoc.org

Thanks to a little out-of-the-box thinking and the huge collective heart of those who care, kids who did not have a chance to visit Fashion Island on photo day will not lose out this Christmas! And thanks to the over 1,500 companies; nearly $20 million in in-kind labor; materials and cash; and 25,000 volunteers – HomeAid Orange County, the charitable arm of the Building Industry Association - continues to be the number one provider of shelters not only in Orange County, but all across the nation.

Delene Garbo is Public Relations/Communications Manager for HomeAid Orange County.