It's Giving Tuesday In Los Alamitos, Seal Beach: Where To Donate

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — After a busy "Black Friday," "Shop Small Saturday," and "Cyber Monday," it may feel like you're shopped out for the holidays. Giving Tuesday is upon us once again. But what does it all mean?

Giving Tuesday originated as a way to think beyond your immediate family and focus on others during the holidays. In Orange County, many nonprofit organizations are requesting assistance and Giving Tuesday. It's the perfect opportunity to support them.

These days, there are many ways to give. Whether you choose to start a Facebook donations campaign, send your reward points on Amazon to a nonprofit through Amazon Smile, or a direct donation, all forms of donating are appreicated.

This year, following the recent oil spill, Orange County residents look to helping the environment as well as their neighbors.

"Oil spills like the one this last fall can do incredible amounts of harm to precious coastal ecosystems like those here at the Ecological Reserve," they say. "If you would like to donate to the Bolsa Chica Conservancy"

Further south, the Laguna Canyon Foundation also seeks assistance from the people who love to hike its many trails.

"On #GivingTuesday! Please consider donating to Laguna Canyon Foundation this holiday season to help protect and preserve our trails and open space," they said over Facebook. Shopping on Amazon? Use Amazon Smile and donate directly to the foundation.

"It's the same Amazon you're used to, but Amazon Smile will donate .05 percent of your purchase price to a charity of your choice," they said. Select Laguna Canyon Foundation as your designated charity on smile.amazon.com."

Helping Your Neighbor...

The Orange County Rescue Mission seeks support for its mission to house the homeless. On Giving Tuesday, all financial gifts will be doubled during a $20,000 match campaign.

The Laguna Food Pantry is one of many nonprofits in Orange County that help others weekly with food for their cupboards and flowers for their table.

"Our mission is to provide free, fresh and nutritious groceries to anyone in need, and we require no proof of need," a spokesperson for the pantry says. At the pantry, 93 cents of every dollar goes toward helping food insecure individuals and families.

On Giving Tuesday, the Laguna Food Pantry asks for your generosity through a one-time, monthly, quarterly or annual donation.

"Generosity, whether in big or small acts, makes a difference," they say.

Laura's House of Aliso Viejo and Garden Grove hopes for your support in providing vital programs and services to victims of domestic violence.

There are many ways to donate to Laura's House on Giving Tuesday.

You can join the Laura's House Circle of Friends with their annual giving fund or take part in social giving on Facebook or through donating from their Amazon Wishlist.

In Irvine, Tilly's Life Center is a group that helps the growing social and emotional crises affecting Orange County teens and is actively seeking your donations toward their cause.

All contributions are appreciated, and you can donate directly to the Life Center here

Saving The Ocean....

Saving the ocean is the love letter from a Laguna Beach paddleboarder turned philanthropist. Project O, his nonprofit organization, is raising funds for their Blue City Network certification program, according to CEO Rich German.

"The Blue City Network is a free certification system that recognizes cities that demonstrate their commitment to healthy waterways and oceans," German says. "My belief is that a network of small-scale, city-level actions can become more than the sum of its parts."

The network has certified seven exemplary cities along the coast of beautiful California: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Malibu, Santa Monica, Imperial Beach, Solana Beach, and the city of Alameda.

We will be expanding to more cities in 2022, and we need your help to get there.

Please consider donating to Project O on Giving Tuesday, November 30th, to directly support the Blue City Network program. All contributions are tax-deductible.

In Dana Point, The Ocean Institute asks for your support in educating the next generation of Ocean Lovers through education.

"Consider making a monthly donation," they suggest.

Protecting Orange County's Wildlife.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center of Laguna Beach is thankful for the support of individuals and large group donations.

You can donate directly from Facebook or their website.

The Huntington Beach area Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center needs your assistance in 2021. There is still much work to be done after caring for oiled birds during the Orange County oil spill in October and beyond.

Supporters can make a tax-deductible donation to help support local wildlife.

"It's quick, it's easy, and we appreciate it," they say. "It's for the animals! Just click the button below to donate today."