By Dianne Anderson

Holiday festivities are in full tilt for nonprofits dedicated to getting toys and food to local families in need, and entertainment that pays off all year long.

On Saturday, December 21, folks looking for a place to spread a little Christmas cheer are invited to stop in, say hello and drop off a gift for the kids at Victory Outreach in Santa Ana. The event runs 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1932 W. 17th Street, in Santa Ana.

Families in need can come out, get a toy, and enjoy Christmas fun, music, snacks and share in a raffle.

Robert Flournoy, president of the nonprofit Loaves and Fishes X Ten, said families that want a free box of Christmas food should arrive at the location early Saturday. The first 50 families to sign up the day of the toy giveaway can return the following Sunday morning to receive food boxes filled to the brim with goodies.

“We’re going to give toys away, we’ll have music, and giving out food boxes,” said Flournoy. “I’m blessed to be able to help support with toys  as well as food for Christmas for the families.”

On December 22, families that signed up can pick up their Christmas food boxes compliments of a Noble Viking Charities of Orange County donation.

Each year, he said the Vikings donate about 1,600 boxes annually to nonprofits. Flournoy is receiving 90 of those boxes, of which he will give away 30 to be distributed to military veterans, 50 to the community, and saving ten for others that he knows are in need.

“The boxes are filled with ham and all the good stuff, all the fixings. Huge boxes, they weigh about 50 or 60 pounds, all fresh food,” he said. “On Sunday morning, we pick it up and we go distribute to the event.”

Also coming up, the community will pack the house for a great night of top of the crop entertainment to support local kids.

On Sunday, December 22, Jazzy Christmas returns for its eighth annual concert featuring a long line of percussive luminaries to help under-served students in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

This year, the event spotlights several internationally recognized entertainers to raise funds in support of mentoring, tutoring, and resources for aspiring young musicians.

Among this year’s lineup: Grammy-award winning Reggie Goodjoin on bass guitar, Tateng Katendig on piano. Munyongo Jackson, who has played percussion with Stevie Wonder and Sting, is  on percussion. Willie Bradly is on trumpet. On vocals, Kathy Bailey Cunningham and Alval Copeland. Donald Hayes has worked with Beyonce and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds is on saxophone. Reggie Johnson on drums, Rhythm guitarist Yohei Nakamura has played the lead guitar with Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder.

The event starts at 6:00 p.m., and held at New Hope Presbyterian Church presents Jazzy Christmas to be held at 191 North Orange Street in Orange starting at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $30.

Rev. Chineta Goodjoin  said they always draw an excellent crowd.

A portion of the proceeds supports the music program to help kids access instruments and music lessons. Hosted through the church, the Music Enrichment Program also provides scholarships for string lessons, and covers the cost of instruction and instruments.

She is especially excited as their church continues to grow in an intergenerational way, and they are expanding their youth programming.

“We’re touching more lives. The kids the most important thing is they’re learning about Christ, but they’re building solid and great relationships with one another,” she said.

Church leaders are also stepping up beyond the holiday celebrations to promote equity in the community and draw attention to social justice initiatives. Several attorney volunteers now working on an initiative to craft and support legislation to change gun control law.

The issue is close to her heart.

“With so much going on, we see young people just being scared to go to school, and active shooter drills that kids have to go through. There’s got to be stronger gun protection legislation that prevents people further from having easy access to these lethal weapons,” she said.

Not yet into the new year, the church is already planning a full itinerary for February, when their choir will again be performing at Disneyland.

“We have an outstanding Black History program that always kicks off at the beginning of the year. There’s a lot of good stuff happening,” she said.

LoaTo support Jazzy Christmas, see http://mynewhopepres.org