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The Christmas Company, the Junior League of Orange County's Signature Fundraiser, Raises More Than $200,000 in Its 34th Year

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Nov. 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Snowflakes drifted overhead as attendees streamed into The Christmas Company, the largest annual fundraiser of The Junior League of Orange County, Calif., Inc. (JLOCC), held November 12-15, at the OC Fair & Event Center.

The Opening Night Gala was festive with an array of vintage cars, including the "Red Baron" Mercedes limousine (formerly owned by Baron Hilton), lining the red carpet. More than 600 guests attired in seasonal finery enjoyed elegant small plates provided by A Restaurant, Above All Catering, Blackmarket Bakery, BlueWater Grill, Five Crowns, Golden Truffle, K'ya Bistro, The Melting Pot, Melissa's, Mrs. Beasley's, Newport Rib Company, Opah, Panera, The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Zov's Bistro and Cafe. The JLOCC's new cookbook, "Orange County Fare: A Culinary Journey Through the California Riviera," was launched at the evening event. (Tickets were priced at $75 per person.)

To continue the experience of culinary excellence, Silent Auction bidders had an opportunity to acquire classes at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and a weekend in New York, complete with dinner and show tickets. More than $200,000 was raised from the Opening Night Gala and The Christmas Company's three-day shopping extravaganza.

Janine Wald was the overall chair of the 34th annual event, themed "A Vintage Holiday." "The opportunity to shop at more than 90 vendors from Orange County and across the United States is just one of the many appealing aspects of The Christmas Company," says Wald.

Other highlights included the participation of KCBS/KCAL reporter Michele Gile, who emcee'd a presentation by Dr. Beth Hamilton and Dr. Stephanie McClellan, authors of "So Stressed: The Effects of Stress on Women's Health and What You Need to Know to Restore Your Energy, Joy and Balance," at a special luncheon. In addition, Olympic Gold Medal Winner Janet Evans spoke at a Women's Networking Night. Other events included a "Breakfast with Santa" and charming Tea Parties where mothers and daughters met the author and the illustrator of "Fancy Nancy's Splendiferous Christmas."

Event Sponsors included Gallo Family Vineyards; JILL FM; The Jacqueline M. Glass Family; Janet & Billy Wilson; New Amsterdam Gin; UV Vodka; Jaynine & Dave Warner; Targus, Inc.; A Bell Affaire; Merrill Corporation; Above All Catering; The Golden Truffle Catering and Restaurant; Dacor, Inc.; and Western Exterminator Company, among many others.

Funds raised annually by the JLOCC directly impact the community through collaborative projects with partner organizations and support JLOCC's mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. This year's projects include the Orangewood Kinship Project and Mentoring Program Activities Project; CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) Emancipated Youth Program; Impact Orange County; Florence Crittenton Services Project; CHOC Reading Program; and Bear Hugs, a JLOCC project supporting emancipated teens in Orange County.

About the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc.

The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. JLOCC has contributed to Orange County by helping found organizations such as Orangewood Children's Home and the Volunteer Center of Orange County. As a solely educational and charitable organization, the JLOCC's trained volunteers actively support the community through collaboration with organizations that promote and support the health, safety and education of women and children. A 501(c)(3) organization, the JLOCC reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins. Originally founded in 1956 as the Newport Harbor Service League, the JLOCC is a member organization of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.

CONTACT:  Ballou Communications
          Susan Ballou
          (949) 477-3070
          susanballou@att.net