Give a little bit of love to the Village of Hope

VAlentine’s Day typicall sends people all over the country into a frenzy seeking heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, flower bouquets, stuffed animals and dinner reservations at expensive restaurants to demonstrate their devotion to loved ones.

This year, the Orange County Rescue Mission is asking the community to make sure that Cupid’s heart is in the right place and discover that the true way to a person’s heart is through the gift of giving.

The Village of Hope, a state-of-the-art facility for the homeless in the city of Tustin, Calif., is in dire need of donations this year, including monetary donations, food, clothing and other essential items. The formerly homeless residents at the Village of Hope, in addition to thousands of Orange County’s homeless and poverty-stricken population, rely on the food and services provided by the Orange County Rescue Mission to survive.

“Every year I think about how to make Valentine’s Day meaningful—especially since the messages we’re flooded with focus far more on the gifts than on the actual sentiment,” said Michael C. Carroll, an Irvine-based corporate and securities attorney, New York Times bestselling author, and supporter of the Village of Hope. “After five years of Valentine’s celebrations, this year my wife Betty and I agreed that a more impactful way to celebrate our wonderful life together is to put our resources towards a “greater gift” we can feel truly good about. We are creating a love box of much needed food, along with a check, for those less fortunate than ourselves. After we drop it off, we are going to come home and cook a romantic meal together.”

The Orange County Rescue Mission is counting on Cupid’s arrow to hit the hearts of our community to ensure that they can continue to provide food, clothing and other supplies for the least, the last and the lost on Valentine’s Day and everyday for years to come. To drop off a “love box” of urgently needed items, please visit the Village of Hope warehouse Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To make a donation, organize a food drive with your business, school or neighborhood, or inquire about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Village of Hope at (714) 247-4300 or log on to www.rescuemission.org.

About the Village of Hope

The Village of Hope at the former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station includes 192 beds, a child development center, playground, parent education center, vocational training classrooms, health care facility, donation warehouse, cafeteria with an outdoor dining center, and support offices. Residents here are considered “students” who participate in the Village of Hope’s two-year comprehensive program to overcome their personal obstacles and succeed in daily life, while keeping their families intact.

About the Orange County Rescue Mission

The Orange County Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization that uses Biblical principles in its programs such as relationships, finance, and parenting. The Orange County Rescue Mission’s innovative facilities and programs provide food assistance and shelter in addition to counseling, education, job training, mental wellness, life skill training, and medical services to provide a solid foundation for the transition to a self-sufficient life.