Events

Each Spring, Friendly Center sets a goal to collect 1,000 Easter baskets to distribute to less-fortunate children through its network of centers in Orange County. You can contribute by dropping-off your baskets on collection day, containing the items below, at one of our two drop-off locations. Volunteers are also needed to help distribute baskets on distribution days as well as volunteers to hosts craft tables.

Each basket should contain:

One hygiene item (i.e. shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, or bodywash)

Chocolate bunny

Easter candy

One gift item (i.e. crayons/coloring book, cars, stuffed animal, jump rope, etc.)

Other fun items welcome of course 🙂

Note: Please wrap baskets in cellophane. Baskets for children up to 6th grade.

Two drop-off locations:

• Orange Office – 147 W Rose Ave, Orange, CA 92867
• Placentia Office – 900 S Melrose St, Placentia, CA 92870

Please call (714) 769-8869 with questions about donating or volunteering.

Show your support on the greens by participating in our annual golf tournament. This year the tournament will be held at Black Gold Golf Club in Yorba Linda. Golfers will enjoy a day of golf, raffle prizes, goodie bags, and the awards dinner immediately following the tournament.

Proceeds from this event supports our after-school tutoring program which includes S.T.E.A.M. components (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) that enhance our students exposure to future careers and secondary education. 

Location: Black Gold Golf Club, 1 Black Gold Dr, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Player Package: 

• Driving Range Balls
• Goodie Bag
• Boxed Lunch
• Awards Dinner

Tournament Schedule:

11:30AM – Check-in/Driving Range

1:00PM – Shotgun Start

5:00PM – Cocktails

5:30PM – Awards Dinner/Raffle

6:30PM – Closing

Please call (714) 769-8869 with questions about donating or volunteering.

The Orange International Street Fair is such a special time for Friendly Center. Located in the Orange Plaza over Labor Day weekend, the fair has featured food and live music for over forty years. Friendly Center hosts a food booth and beer booth in the Mexico area, serving great Mexican food. Come visit or sign-up to be one of 100 volunteers that we utilize in our booths for the weekend. This is a great opportunity for groups to get involved. 

Event Schedule:

5:00PM-10:00PM – Friday

10:00AM-10:00PM – Saturday

10:00AM-10:00PM – Sunday

Location:

• Orange Plaza, Orange CA

Please call (714) 769-8869 with questions about donating or volunteering.

Join us for an evening of celebration and support. Each year, our fundraising gala brings together generous donors, new and old, to celebrate the accomplishments of Friendly Center as we look forward to what’s to come.  You can help support our vital mission to end poverty for families in Orange County.

This is an especially exciting year as we celebrate our 95th Anniversary! You won’t want to miss this historical time!  

Dinner, Cocktails, Live Music, and Auction

Date: Saturday, October 26th
Time: TBD 
Location: Fete the Venue, 3101 Red Hill Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Sponsorship Opportunities TBA

Please call (714) 769-8869 with questions about sponsoring.

Our Adopt a Family program is a special time that allows adopters to purchase items specifically for a few select families that have been part of our case management program during the past year. These families are of various sizes and have varying needs. Adopters will receive a wishlist from the family, from which the adopter will purchase gifts for the entire family. The drop-off dates of the items occurs the week prior to Christmas.

Adopter Process:

Adopter lets us know what size family they would like to adopt

Wishlist of a family is sent back to adopter, containing a description of the family with their sizes, likes, and needs

Adopter purchases items for everyone in the family, including household needs listed

Adopter drops-off wrapped gifts

Adopter provides grocery store gift card of $50-$100 (depending on size of family)

Adopter receives a card and photo of the family in the mail

Three drop-off locations:

• Orange Office – 147 W Rose Ave, Orange, CA 92867
• Placentia Office – 900 S Melrose St, Placentia, CA 92870
• Stanton Office – 11822 Santa Paula St, Stanton, CA 90680

If you are interested in adopting or have any questions, please call (714) 769-8869.

During the Thanksgiving season we collect Turkey Baskets, containing all the food for a family to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for themselves at home. A wonderful way to give during a season of thanks. Please plan to drop-off on the scheduled event day and bless a family in need this season.

Each basket should contain:

$20 gift card to purchase turkey (Stater Bros or Food 4 Less)
1 box of stuffing
1 can of cranberry sauce
1 box of potatoes
1 can of candied yams
2 cans of green beans
2 cans of corn
1 jar of turkey gravy
1 pumpkin pie
1 bag of rolls

Other items welcome of course 🙂

Note: Please wrap baskets in cellophane. Boxes are also welcome. Each should feed a family of five or more.

Two drop-off locations:

• Orange Office – 147 W Rose Ave, Orange, CA 92867
• Placentia Office – 900 S Melrose St, Placentia, CA 92870

Please call (714) 769-8869 with questions about donating or volunteering.

Put a smile on a child’s face this holiday season by donating toy. We will be collecting toys through December which are provided to children in the community. You can help by organizing a drive to collect toys with your work, school, or church. Setup a box to collect with, then drop off what you’ve collected.

Toy Drive Success:

New, unwrapped toys

Minimum value of $15

Collect for ages 0-17

Gift cards welcome

Movie tickets welcome

Gifts for teens are great

Two drop-off locations:

• Orange Office – 147 W Rose Ave, Orange, CA 92867
• Placentia Office – 900 S Melrose St, Placentia, CA 92870

To schedule your drop-off or if you have any questions, please call (714) 769-8869.

The holiday season is a special time around Friendly Center as there are so many opportunities to get involved. Volunteers are needed to help with distributions, toy bagging, hosting craft tables, and sharing friendly smiles with families in need. Opportunities are available at our Orange and Placentia locations. Great time for groups to be involved.

Holiday Opportunities:

Food Distributions

Toy Bagging

Host a Craft Table

Please take a look at our sign-up page below for available shifts and times.

To schedule your drop-off or if you have any questions, please call (714) 769-8869.