Patriots 4 Pendleton is sponsoring a toy drive collecting new, unwrapped toys for infants to age 12, and $25 gift cards for teenagers and single Marines who are unable to go home for Christmas.
The nonprofit based in the city is asking the community to partner with it again this year as it continues to support the brave men, women and families stationed at Camp Pendleton. In addition to supporting the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Patriots 4 Pendleton plans to include an additional seven units stationed at Camp Pendleton in its giving this year.
For more information, call 714-637-5575 or email patriots4pendleton@gamil.com. Deadline date for donations is Dec. 8.
Canyon Hills Presbyterian invites youth to gather
All kids in the community in grades three through 12 are invited to check out Canyon Hills Presbyterian Church’s Fall Youth Group, and join the special activity planned this Sunday at 5 p.m. for bowling at Concourse Bowl.
The Sunday evening program, which normally meets in the church Fellowship Hall, aims to engage youth and upper elementary school students and their families in intergenerational community that includes fun, food and Bible study. A new theme has recently started called Route 2, which focuses on the beginning of the church in Acts, Chapter 2 that asks families to visualize what church means to them and ways in which the church can continue to grow in wisdom and its mission.
This youth group is unique in that everyone who attends, including visitors and their families, are invited to share a meal together at 6 p.m. The evening is divided into two groups with grades 3-6 meeting from 5 to p.m., and grades 7-12 meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., following the shared meal.
Youth group includes games, activities, bible lesson, peer interaction and small group discussions. Another off-site activity is being planned for Nov. 29. Check the church website, canyonhills.org, for details. The youth group is led by Associate Pastor Matt Moncrief with assistance from Director of Children’s Ministries Megan Burgess.
Anaheim Public Library recognized for programs
Congratulations to Anaheim Public Library for receiving two PRExcellence Awards from the California Library Association during its recent annual conference.
The first award was in the Print Category for the Indie Author Day 2025. This is a literary gathering held at Anaheim Central Library and dedicated to a diverse range of storytelling in independent publishing, highlighting new and original work in poetry, fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction and children’s books. Workshops and panel discussions are facilitated by indie authors and small press publishing companies such as Lab Press and El Martillo Press.
The library also received an award in the Event or Campaign Category for its Spinal Dread Event: Horror Literature and Culture Festival held at Anaheim’s Central Library. This second annual event attracted more than 1,700 attendees throughout the day with 62 new library card sign-ups and also included vendors, talks, trivia, panels and much more. The main event featured the talk, “There’s No Place Like Home: How the Greatest Horrors Lie Behind the Door” with award-winning author Marcus Kliewer, who shared how his creepy pasta on Reddit turned into two novels — both of which are being developed into feature films.
Anaheim Hills musician family perform for cause
A “Magical Holiday Celebration with the Le Van Family Musicians and Friends” is planned for Dec. 20 in Anaheim Hills and the community is invited to this special event.
The 6 to 8 p.m. holiday event will feature the accomplished musical artistry of Eric Le Van, piano; Sarah Le Van Seaman, violin and vocal; Sean Le Van, piano and vocal; Daniel Seaman, horn; and baritone, Jose Luis Maldonado.
The evening, hosted by Myriam Lyczba Le Van, with sponsorship from the Garcia Kincaid Family Realty, will include festive light fare and delicious holiday treats benefiting the Mummy-Jee Foundation and its mission of providing free boarding schools, education and training for the most underprivileged children in the poorest region of India, the Bihar province.
Dr. Jeanne Pere, a French teacher and social worker, aka Mummu-Jee, has served for more than two decades as head director of the Mummy-Jee Educational Charitable Trust (NGO), which believes, “To help one child is to change the world.”
The holiday concert offers an opportunity to support this worthy cause and enjoy the extraordinarily talented Le Van Family Musicians and Friends. Suggested donation is $40 per person and seating is limited. Those interested in attending should RSVP at ericglevan@gmail.com or for additional questions, call or text 714-406-6184.
Sharon Hlapcich writes about events and happenings in the Anaheim Hills area. Reach her by phone (714-998-4604 or e-mail (smhlapcich@sbcglobal.net).