Community and Clubs: Hearts — and wallets — open for holidays

The many good works done by Newport-Mesa’s service clubs in December illustrate that Christmas remains the season of caring and sharing.

The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa, Harbor Mesa Lions and Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa adopted needy families and collected items and cash donations to provide them Christmas gifts. Likewise, Samaritan’s Purse collected thousands of shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and other items that the group shipped to needy children around the world.

The Harbor Mesa Lions helped spread the spirit of giving to children. On Dec. 20, Boys & Girls Club members participated in the Lions’ annual shopping day, selecting toys and other items donated by Toys for Tots as Christmas gifts for their family members. The children earned purchasing points throughout the year by completing homework and other activities.

The Harbor Mesa Lions recruited members of the University High School and Estancia High School Leo Clubs to help the children choose and wrap their gifts. Anastasia Gomez, University High club president, stated, “Our members truly feel the spirit of the season when they can help the children giving presents to their loved ones.”

Bill Bechtel and members of the Newport Harbor Exchange Club also helped spread Christmas cheer to Costa Mesa students. On two December mornings, Santa Bechtel arrived in a police car at Woodland and Victoria elementary schools. His Newport Harbor Exchange elves helped him distribute candy canes to more than 500 students.

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Clubs’ good will to continue in 2015

2015 will mark the 31st year of the Newport Beach Sister City Assn. and the Wendal Fish Student Exchange Program, an annual student and teacher exchange sponsored by the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa and the association.

Each July, Newport-Mesa students and teachers travel to Okazaki, Japan, to attend school and live with local families. Then, the following fall, Okazaki students and teachers are hosted at Newport-Mesa homes and schools.

From now through Feb. 2, the association and the Rotary Club are accepting applications for the 2015 exchange from eighth-graders at Newport Beach schools. Additional information and an application can be found at newportbeachrotary.com/okazaki-student-exchange. Selected students will have the opportunity to raise funds for their airfare, their only program cost, by participating in Newport-Mesa Spirit Run on March 15.

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Donations for Circle K members

The Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa is seeking donations to fund the attendance of almost 50 members of the Orange Coast College Circle K Club at the club’s annual district convention this March in Woodland Hills.

The OCC Circle K Club, with almost 100 members and 9,000 community service hours since March, is part of the world’s largest collegiate service leadership program. The OCC attendees will receive three days of leadership education, and several are expected to earn service and leadership awards.

The Associated Students of OCC and Kiwanis have contributed more than half of the projected convention costs and are seeking help for the remainder. Donations can be made to the Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa Foundation, P.O. Box 1667, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626.

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Students to compete on Presidents Week

The Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa, in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club, will host the first Presidents Week Basketball Tournament for grades 4, 5 and 6.

All Newport-Mesa Unified School District elementary schools are invited to participate in a double-elimination basketball tournament from Feb. 16 to 21. Entries will be limited to the first eight district schools that apply for each division.

For more information, contact Harlan Andersen at (949) 642-8372.

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Lace up your shoes for Spirit Run

Preparations are underway for the 32nd annual Newport-Mesa Spirit Run, scheduled for March 15 at Fashion Island.

The Spirit Run is an adult and youth running event whose net proceeds benefit athletics and education throughout the Newport-Mesa school district. In January, free training programs will begin for some elementary students. Free entries and bus transportation to the event will be offered to underprivileged students and families.

In the last four years, Spirit Run has donated more than $200,000 and over 500 free entries.

Corporate and family sponsorship opportunities are available. School sports teams and clubs may register to raise funds through Spirit Run. To sponsor or register, or for more information, visit nmspiritrun.org or email info@nmspiritrun.org.

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Honor serviceman at the Field of Honor

The 6th annual Field of Honor, presented by the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor and Newport Beach, is scheduled for May 15 to 17 in Castaways Park.

Families can honor specific servicemen, alive or deceased, by purchasing one of 1,776 American flags displayed in Castaways Park overlooking Newport Beach’s beautiful harbor. City leaders have called the Field of Honor the most patriotic event in Newport Beach.

Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $500 to $5,000, are available. To sponsor or purchase a flag, or for more information, call (949) 631-3567, email ExchangeFieldofHonor@yahoo.com or visit nhexchange.org.

The Daily Pilot wants to hear about your club’s or organization’s events so we can inform our readers. Contact DIANE DARUTY at dianedaruty@sbcglobal.net or (949) 322-7949 or DUNCAN FORGEY at Forgey5000@yahoo.com or (949) 548-4800.