COMMUNITY & CLUBS:

With more than 500 families, including 930 children and 527 parents, the Tuesday to Dec. 20 Snowball Express in Orange County is the largest and longest gathering of the children of our fallen in the history of our country, according to John N. Mavros, chairman of this year’s Snowball Express, which provides a holiday getaway for the families of veterans who have died in service to their country.

Sponsorship has grown since Snowball Express’ inception in 2006, thanks to the efforts of Trisha Marshall, member of the Club of Newport Irvine and Snowball’s fund development chairwoman. American Airlines is supplying six charters jets, while BP America is supplying the jet fuel and American Airlines pilots and flight crews are donating their time. Other airlines donating travel include Southwest and AirTran. The Anaheim Hilton, Anaheim Marriott, Sheraton Park Anaheim, Clarion Hotel Anaheim and Sheraton Anaheim Hotel are supplying the rooms to house the 1,600 guests for the four days. Coach America is providing local transportation. And the sponsor list goes on and on.

The Henry T. Nicholas III Foundation made a $150,000 donation to Snowball Express, which with the financial assistance provided by the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, will help fund dinners, theme parks admissions and debit cards for each child.

The event begins with a Welcome Dinner and show by superstar ventriloquist Terry Fator at the Hilton Anaheim. Dec. 17’s activities include Universal Studios Hollywood while on Dec. 18 the attendees will be at Disneyland. Dec. 19, the families gather in front of the Hilton for the “Walk of Gratitude” as they proceed to the Anaheim Convention Center for a “Day in the Life of California” sponsored by Oakley.

The public is invited to participate in the Walk of Gratitude at 10:30 a.m. Bring your American flag, banner or sign and share your appreciation to the families of the fallen. There will be free parking at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Hundreds of volunteers, including dozens of Rotarians from throughout Orange County, are staffing various venues.

For more information, visit www.snowballexpress.org or call (714) 662-2033.

LIONS DELIVER FUNDS FOR FIRE RELIEF

Lions Clubs International made an emergency grant to local Lions Clubs for fire relief in Orange County and local clubs added to that, according to Mike Scheafer, president of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club. Last week, the local club delivered the accumulated funds and Target gift cards totaling $10,000, to the Orange County Rescue Mission, according to Scheafer.

The Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club, the Fish Fry Lions, is continuing to accept cash donations to provide relief to victims of the fires in Orange County. Checks can be made out to the CMNH Lions. All proceeds will be directed to victims this holiday season. Donations can be sent or delivered to: CMNH Lions Club, c/o Mike Scheafer, president, 1551-B Baker St., Costa Mesa, CA, 92626. Only monetary donations can be accepted at this time.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council … “I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren’t enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision.”

— W. Clement Stone

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Assemblymen Van Tran and Chuck DeVore. For details, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa. Visit www.CostaMesaKiwanis.org. The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org. The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI, visit www.nirotary.org. The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program on Balance and Mobility by Carol Fracalosy and Dr. Gina Tay.

MONDAY

6:30 p.m.: The Newport Harbor-Costa Mesa Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Costa Mesa.

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 52-member Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a program by Orange County Treasurer Chriss Street. For information, visit www. newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

6 p.m.: The Irvine New Generations Rotary Club meets at Tapas Restaurant.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.