Friendsgiving

to Benefit the

Rescue Mission and Tustin Veterans Outpost

Give thanks, give food.  This event perfectly showcases the spirit of our chapter.  Shine bright and help collect items for the Orange County Rescue Mission and Tustin Veterans Outpost.  (Unfortunately, the For Active Military Families organization had to cancel our previously scheduled event.)

We invite you to bring a non-perishable item (no glass or jars), toiletries, or hygiene products.  See the donation list below.  Items will be collected and donated to the Orange County Rescue Mission.  Thank you kindly.  

We welcome allies and newcomers to participate with us in this fun and meaningful night.  

Country Music, Good Eats, and Great Fun.  Our Friendsgiving will be located at an elevated steakhouse, bar, and lounge.  RSVP today.

Hors 'd'oeuvres provided. 

Attire: business casual; collared shirt, dress pants, or dark jeans.

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Location: restaurant in Costa Mesa, California.  Indoors.  Address provided after approved registration. 

Parking: free parking structure and convenient designated rideshare drop off and pick-up location on the street level inside the parking structure. 

For attendees out of the area, make it a day or night.  Enjoy the beach, sites, and all O.C. has to offer.

Sponsorships available. 

• The Harvest Basket sponsor: $250.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

• The Feast sponsor: $450.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

• The Thankful Friend sponsor: $550.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

• The Grateful Heart sponsor: $650.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

• The Bountiful Harvest sponsor: $800.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event.

Attendees must RSVP.

LCROC provides political pressure, advocates for initiatives, and promotes the legal rights of all.  As an organization we share our expertise to the benefit of our membership and the larger community.  We are building a better future together.  We remain diligent for good reason.  The gay community has faced and continues to face obstacles. 

• Increased Homelessness: "Youth with highly rejecting families are often forced to leave the home, leading to overrepresentation of gay teens in the homeless youth population" and foster care system (PMC).  Estimates of homeless gay adolescents range from 15% to over 40% of the overall homeless youth population (PMC).

• Studies show that a substantial percentage of gay adults have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives, with some estimates indicating rates more than twice as high as the general population (Homelessness Among LGBT Adults in the U.S.).

• According to the Point-in-Time Count, the data show that on a single night in January 2024 there were 32,882 Veterans who experienced homelessness in the U.S. (VA Homeless Programs).The Orange County Rescue Mission and Tustin Veterans Outpost

About: Headquartered in Tustin, California, OCRM operates a network of nine campuses across Orange County.  The organization provides a holistic suite of free services—including housing, food, medical and dental care, job training, and counseling—to homeless men, women, and families.  A core aspect of its methodology is a structured, milestone-based curriculum for residents.  OCRM also offers programs specifically tailored to the needs of veterans, youth, and victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking.

Donation Item List

• Non-perishable Items (no glass or jars): Boxed or canned stuffing, Canned cranberries, Canned fruits, Vegetable, chicken stock or beef stock, White granulated sugar, brown sugar, Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, cream of broccoli soup, crackers, snack bars, pudding, and Jell-O mix.

• Toiletries and Hygiene: Liquid hand soap, Soap bars, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste tubes, Toothbrushes, Laundry detergent.

• Travel Size: Soap bars, Shampoo, Toothpaste tubes, and Hand wipes.

Share the event invite information with a friend or two.  

We look forward to seeing you there.

Did you know?

There are 2 (and only 2) primary sources for the events of autumn 1621 in Plymouth:

Edward Winslow writing in Mourt's Relation and William Bradford writing in Of Plymouth Plantation.