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South Coast Plaza to host homeless kids

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South Coast Plaza plans to host a holiday party for about 500 homeless children Dec. 6 — after the shopping center closes for the day.

The “Sharing the Spirit” event is being organized by two Orange County nonprofits that work with disadvantaged youths, the Festival of Children Foundation and The Happiness Project.

Youths ages 13 to 18 from Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove and Santa Ana are expected to attend the event, which includes free Christmas gifts, crafts, activities, music and games, according to a Festival of Children news release.

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Some 200 volunteers will participate.

“These children deserve a magical evening that they will always remember,” Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, founder of Festival of Children Foundation, said in the news release. “And it’s equally important to watch advantaged children serve and learn about leadership and philanthropy at a young age.”

Children are expected to arrive by bus. Volunteers will meet and then guide them through multiple holiday activities, including photos with Santa Claus, carousel rides, arts and crafts, beauty stations and face painting.

They also will receive a bag of gifts tailored to their age and gender.

Several of the shopping center’s retailers are expected to participate. The Lego Store plans to host a craft table where the youngsters can build models they can take home. The Microsoft Store will provide music and video games. Puzzle Zoo’s Calico Critters’ mascot and Sanrio’s Hello Kitty mascot will mingle. Bare Minerals will operate beauty stations for the girls in attendance.

The Happiness Project, based in Huntington Beach, works to provide children with clothing and school supplies, as well as other basic needs. The organization has been involved with the holiday party at South Coast Plaza for six years.

“This event is much more than a three-hour party for these children,” Lindsay Dickhout, executive director of The Happiness Project, said in a statement. “It is a night of fun, magic, hope and celebration. Each child receives a large gift bag packed with toys, books, clothing, shoes, school supplies, life essentials and food gift cards. The impact of this event lasts much longer than a single evening.”

The Festival of Children coordinates the “efforts of charities, companies and individuals who actively work to improve the lives of children,” according to the news release.

For more information on the Festival of Children, visit https://www.FestivalofChildren.org.

For more information on the Happiness Project, visit https://www.HelpOCKids.org.

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