THE CROWD:

Canyon Acres Children and Family Services held a garden party earlier this summer to raise funds for severely abused children in Orange County. The Hyatt Regency Irvine was the setting for “A Garden Serenade ... Creating Harmony for Children.” Co-chaired by local banker John Evans John Evans and his wife, Ruth Ann, the event brought in more than 350 guests to raise more than $350,000 for Canyon Acres. On hand for the party was Clete Menke, Canyon Acres executive director presenting honors to major donors including S. Paul and Marybelle Musco, the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation, and corporate sponsor Ingram Micro.

Canyon Acres Children and Family Services is the only facility in greater Orange County serving the most severely abused and emotionally troubled children between the ages of 6 and 17. For more information on Canyon Acres, call Kristine Blidy at (714) 385-5272.

The fourth annual Tiger Woods Learning Center Block Party is set for Oct. 11 at the Grove of Anaheim. Over the last several years, this event has turned into one of the big parties on the O.C. social calendar, attracting a “who’s who” guest list of some 1,000 residents, as well as plenty of star power from the worlds of entertainment, sports and politics.

This year the evening will be fronted by entertainer Seal, who will perform for the crowd dining on the culinary excellence of the acclaimed chef Mario Batalli. Philanthropist and businessman Paul Folino, executive chairman of Emulex Corporation, will be this year’s honored “Champion of the Children” supported by the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Dedicated chairs Lori and Brian Herth will return at the helm supported by Linda Young, Andrea Shelley and Larry Noggle. To date more than $3 million has been raised by this event for the learning center. For more information and/or tickets, call Lee Healy at (949) 760-3054 or go to tigerwoodsfoundation.org.

The incredible ladies who comprise an organization known as Angelitos de Oro are preparing for the seventh year offering the “Angelitos Card” for holiday shopping discounts at South Coast Plaza. From Nov. 5 to 10 some 120 stores and restaurants at South Coast Plaza will honor the Angelitos Card offering a 20% savings on regularly priced merchandise to shoppers holding the card.

Here’s how it works. Purchase the card for a $60 donation to Angelitos de Oro. It can be purchased directly from an Angelitos de Oro member or any South Coast Plaza concierge desk prior to the shopping event. The $60 purchase of the card goes to the Angelitos de Oro organization for the support of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County and it is fully tax deductible. Then shop till you drop from Nov. 5 to 10 and save on all of your holiday purchases. You may also order the card by calling (949) 642-9883 or go to www.angelitosdeoro.com.

Actress Jenny McCarthy is due back in town Oct. 3 to front a gala dinner at the St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach on behalf of Talk About Curing Autism, or TACA, a Newport Beach-based charity reaching out to help families in Orange County and Southern California dealing with the challenges of autistic children. Tour de France star Lance Armstrong is also set to join McCarthy at the dinner fundraiser. For more information on the event, e-mail Joyce Lowder at [email protected].

Christmas Company is coming. The Junior League of Orange County will once again host its extravagant fundraiser Nov. 13 to 16 at the Orange County Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. Sandra Thompson will chair this year’s massive event being called “A Holiday To Remember.”

This is the 33rd year for Christmas Company and Thompson and committee plan to retain the traditions and introduce many new and fun twists to the show and sale.

More than 100 venders from Orange County and across the United States will offer holiday merchandise for sale. Special events will include a first night party called “Girls Night Out.”

There will also be a “Preferred Shopping Breakfast” and “An Evening of Food and Wine.”

Gallo Family Vineyards are major sponsors of this year’s Christmas Company along with Panera Bread Company, Tigo Gifts, Winchells Chiropractic, and Orange Coast Magazine.

There will even be a special luncheon for the “Red Hat Ladies” set for Nov. 15. Proceeds from the massive effort benefit the programs sponsored by the Junior League of Orange County supporting the health, safety, and education of women and children everywhere.

For more information, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.

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