Over The Top Mommy

Driving Around in the Kia Sedona Was As Much Fun As Hanging Out With One of the Girls!

May 17, 2015 / Automobiles, Lifestyle

Disclosure: I was provided with a Kia Sedona vehicle for a week, in order to facilitate my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own!

I recently had the pleasure of spending a week driving around a beautiful, 2015 Kia Sedona. The moment I saw her parked there, sparkling in the sun, I KNEW she had to be a girl! She was so pretty!

The 2015 Sedona is premium comfort in a minivan. I’d never driven a minivan before and I must say that I previously misjudged how awesome they are. I enjoyed our time together so much that it felt like I was hanging out with one of the girls. Let me tell you a few reasons why!

I already mentioned how sparkly the Kia Sedona was upon delivery but every feature about the this vehicle is stylish. The vehicle, itself, has a sleek design.

The interior is extremely luxurious and with a roomy driver’s cockpit and the model I drove had leather everything. It’s equipped with high-tech gadgets, which makes it even more functional. It’s like a mom’s dream! And…the Sedona even has great taste in “shoes”! Just look at those alloy wheels!

The 2015 Kia Sedona is equipped with some high-tech features and gadgets that I found so convenient and efficient. She knows the importance of being “with the times” in order to keep up in the modern world!

Here are just a few of my favorite tech-features

Remote Keyless entry: First of all, this remote keyless entry just requires that the key be nearby, like in your hand or purse. You don’t need to enter a code or push anything from the key or your keychain. You literally push a button on the driver’s door and and it unlocks the doors. This is a huge convenience when your hands are full because no one likes to juggle everything they’re carrying to find their keys. I know that I rarely approach my car with empty hands, so this almost seems like this feature was created just for me.

Push Button Start with Smart Key: This is another great feature. As long as the key is in the car, the car will start with one touch of the ignition button. It’s another great convenience and time saver.

Voice Command Navigation System: You can utilize the large 8″ display on the dashboard with Voice-Command. Real-time highway traffic helps you navigate the most efficient route to your destination. The system also has the capability to help you locate restaurants, gas stations, stores, and pretty much any destination you’re looking for. It even reminds you when you’re low on fuel AND helps you search for the closest gas station!

Smart Power Liftgate: I loved this feature! You just have to stand behind the Sedona with your Smart Key and the liftgate opens automatically for you! It’s the next best thing to having someone open it for you.

Read about some of the other tech features on this vehicle here.

The Sedona had the most complete safety back-up camera system I’ve seen on any vehicle I’ve driven. When the car was in reverse, you had a view of what was behind you from the rear-camera display on the dashboard, but there’s actually a surround view monitor on the car so you can see around the entire car too. In the case of something or someone being in the close proximity of the car, it’s also equipped with a backup warning system which will beep at you. It’s such an efficient setup and Kia has taken that extra step towards safety with these features!

Another safety feature is the BLUETOOTH® Wireless Technology Hands-Free Connectivity. This feature allows for you to maintain your focus on the road and keep both hands on the wheel. Kia seems very dedicated to ensuring “distraction-free driving” for its car owners and they are doing an excellent job of making that happen through the design of their cars. So many of the buttons are right on the steering wheel or right up on the dashboard so that it doesn’t take your attention away from the road.

The stereo system in the Sedona is on point! In addition to the usual AM/FM stereo and a CD player, it also has MP3 capabilities and featured SiriusXM! I was spoiled with the SiriusXM, especially when Foo Fighters and Britney Spears came on! My daughter, on the other hand, was way more excited about having access to Radio Disney in the car though than hearing “mommy’s music”!

The Sedona is very verbal and not afraid to use her voice. As I pointed out before, the vehicle is equipped with many tech-savvy features. Not only does it have so many technological features but it also uses its voice. Using an audible warning, the system will let you know when there’s either something in your way when you’re backing up or if anything is close to your vehicle when you’re changing lanes. It produces a very significant beep that really grabs your attention immediately. Another time you’ll hear her use her “big voice” is when she’s helping you get somewhere with the navigation system or telling you about traffic.

I think the funnest part of our week with the Sedona was taking her on a weekend road trip to Vegas for one of my daughter’s cheer competitions! She was so comfy to ride in. The third row of seats is a complete row, but also folds down easily to provide a ton of room for luggage and trip necessities.

I loved that the Sedona didn’t judge how much stuff we brought for our quick getaway trip! She understands a girl’s need to excessively pack!

I also loved that she didn’t have to be reminded that “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!“…especially when it means bringing home tons of bags from shopping at places like M&Ms World! All of the shopping we did in Vegas will just remain our little secret!

I think this is actually the best part about the Sedona. She knows how to keep the kids happy! As a mom, this is a priority and I spend a great deal of time trying to keep my daughter happy. The Kia totally “gets” it and has some features that “wow-ed” the kids on our road trip.

TWO sunroofs: I feel like I can’t even compete with this one! The rear-seat passengers can also enjoy an open-air experience with the 2nd Row-Power Sliding Sunroof. You’re able to operate the 2nd-row sunroof, independently from the 1st-row sunroof, with front and rear controls.We spent quite a while playing with this feature. (when we were parked, of course) It sure makes for some cute photo opportunities too!

Back power windows…they roll down: I think one of the biggest problems with minivans relates to having sliding back doors that don’t have access to fresh air via windows that roll down. The Sedona not only has power windows that roll down in the back, but also has screens you can put up to help block out sun. This was definitely a feature we loved when we were driving through the sunny desert on our way to Vegas!

2nd row, First-Class Lounge Seating: The seating in the 2nd row absolutely blew me away! It’s pure heaven back there with those recliner seats that provide adjustable lower leg support. It was like one of those luxury movie theater chairs. There’s also a 2nd-Row Center Seat that’s available to make even more room for you and all your friends. It can fold down, using the Slide-N-Stow™ system, to provide an armrest and cup holders for two 2nd-row passengers when you don’t need it. (It can also fold up and forward or be removed completely.) These seats made ME want to climb in the backseat and ask someone else to drive!

Now you can see all of the reasons why I not only fell in love with the Kia Sedona for the week I drove her ar0und, but also felt like she understood me like one of my girlfriends would! I loved driving this vehicle and would highly recommend it to others. I only have one daughter and I’d still love to own a Kia Sedona JUST to have all of that space inside and luxurious features. My daughter still talks about the Sedona, to this day!

To read more about the Kia Sedona, click here. Connect with Kia Motors on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram too!

When a Cast Member Makes a Magical First Impression on You! Meet One of My Favorites: Ronna From Disney’s Yacht Club! #DisneySMMC

May 15, 2015 / Disney, Orange County, SoCal Fun, Travel

They say that first impressions are everything and I completely agree with that statement. You never truly get a chance to re-do a first impression. This is especially true in businesses such as restaurants, stores, and hotels. When a guest walks into an establishment for some type of service, they start to form an opinion about that place of business based on the way they were treated by the first person they encountered who was working there.

My family and I recently took our first trip to Walt Disney World Resort for the 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. We were so excited to be all booked at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort during our trip! After taking the red-eye from Southern California to Orlando, Florida, we finally arrived at our destination around 6:30 a.m. on a very minimal amount of sleep. I may, or may not, have entered the lobby of Disney’s Yacht Club while sleep walking. As I entered the check-in line, I was immediately greeted at the front desk by one of the sweetest cast members in the place! Talk about making a lasting first impression! Even as I sit here writing this post, I miss that sweet lady.

Her name was Ronna and she was just beginning her shift that day. As I glanced over the counter, into her work area, I noticed she had a few personal items, such as pens and a paper pad, that were purple! I love purple! I didn’t even need to ask if purple was her favorite color because it was so obvious.

My asking her immediately sparked such a pleasant conversation between us, as she proceeded to check me (and my family that was sleeping on a couch in the hotel lobby at that moment) into our room. I also noticed that Ronna was from Chicago, specifically from the same area that I have family. Again, we hit it off talking about Chicago.

I appreciated how much time Ronna took to thoroughly explain everything I needed to know about the hotel to me. There was a lot to take in and get to know about this giant resort hotel, as well as the parks. I could see why Disney had hired Ronna to work for them…because she’s a magical person who makes magic for guests….which is exactly what a cast member is supposed to do!

For the duration of our stay, I kept checking the front desk, each time we’d walk by, to see if Ronna was working. I finally learned that she also works next door at the front desk at Disney’s Beach Club Resort (it’s an adjacent property to the Yacht Club). On our last day, just before leaving on The Magical Express for the airport, we finally found her working again. I re-introduced myself (but of course she remembered me) and told her that I wanted to thank her again for being so kind. I think she was a little surprised that I came back to tell her that.

Then I asked if we could take a picture together and if I could also photograph her alone. I think she almost cried happy tears from my request, which made me also get happy tears in my eyes! As you can see from the pictures, Ronna is absolutely adorable and I hope we get to go back there someday soon and visit her when we do! She was our first impression of the Walt Disney World Resort and I’d have to say that she made a magical one.

Have YOU had any magical experiences with Disney Cast Members before? If so, where were you and how did they make an impression on you?

4 Intangible Things I Took With Me to The 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration! #DisneySMMC

May 14, 2015 / Conferences, Disney, Technology/Social Media, Travel

In the two years I’ve been blogging, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a few different conferences. I love going to conferences! The more I attend, the more I want to seek out to attend! I take away something new and valuable from each conference and always leave feeling recharged and newly inspired. I’ve also experienced what I like to call “conference regrets“. If you’re not sure what those are, they are the things you wish you’d done at a conference, but either forgot or were too intimidated to do, for whatever reason. I feel like I get brave after the conference is over, except then it’s too late to go back. I’m almost sure that every blogger has experienced “conference regrets” at least once in their career. What I’ve found to be most effective for tackling this problem is to take some time, prior to attending a conference, to set some small personal conference goals for myself.

I was recently invited to attend The 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at Walt Disney World Resort. I can still remember how magical it was when I opened that email containing such a special invitation! I think I let out a squeal that was probably heard around the world! It was such an honor to be invited and I really couldn’t believe it had happened for me. I KNEW I had to make every moment of what would be a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” count! So, in the weeks leading up to the conference, I proceeded to jot down notes on post-its until I’d put together a list of my personal goals for this conference.

At first I felt a bit overwhelmed by this goal-setting because I didn’t know what to expect from the conference itself. I’d heard so many stories and read several posts from others who had attended in the past, but I really wanted to focus on what was most important for me to take away from the experience. Finally, I compiled a list of 4 intangible things I’d be bringing with me to The 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, so let me share these things with you!

The first thing I brought to the conference was my love for Disney. I believe each and every one of the invited attendees has a love for Disney that’s unique and special. My own love for Disney stems from my childhood. I grew up in Southern California and our family was fortunate enough to live very close to Disneyland. (It was just Disneyland back then, not Disneyland Resort) As a child, I got to visit the park about once a year, usually during summertime. Visiting Disneyland with my family, as a little girl, is one of those childhood memories I can still actually recall vividly.

My love for Disney has grown by leaps and bounds as I’ve grown up. (Confession: I’ve actually never grown up though) I’m a proud Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder and visit the parks as frequently as I can. As a mom, I’ve had the opportunity to create special Disney memories with my own daughter. My love for Disney also carries over into many other aspects of my life too. I try to live life in “a Disney way”, which is something other lovers of Disney can fully understand. To be in an entire ballroom filled with other Disney-loving moms (and a dad) was an amazing experience.

Optimism was a very important thing to bring with me as well! It’s beyond important to come to a conference with an optimistic attitude. I consider myself a “Glass Half-Full Kind of Girl” and always try my best to see a positive side in every situation. Each conference is an new opportunity to connect with other influencers and often times, brands. If you walk in with a positive attitude and are full of optimism, it’ll draw people towards you and they’ll to want to get to know you. It’s also something that will make brands want to work with you. I’m always optimistic that something good is going to happen. Remember, “If you can dream it, you can do it!” Stay optimistic!

I’ve saved the best for last. I think courage and confidence are the most vital things you can bring to a conference! I am speaking from experience and as someone who has had “conference regrets” in the past for not bringing these with me! As I entered the convention center at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and started to walk down the long hallway, it felt as if my breath had literally been stolen away. (in a good way) Hanging from the boughs were these amazing and enormous banners! It was surreal. I had mixed emotions at the moment before I entered the room for registration. On one hand I felt like royalty, on the other hand, doubt started to set in and I began to second guess myself. You can’t do that! You CAN’T doubt yourself! This is where courage comes into play!

If this starts to happen to you, just do what I did….I gave myself a pep talk (inside of my head of course). I told myself that I needed to remember my courage! I needed to have courage and confidence because I was there for a reason! I needed to have courage to approach people and make those connections that I’d come all this way to make. I needed to have courage and confidence in myself when others would ask me about what it is that drives the passion behind my own blogging. It’s important to remember that you are worth something! You are just as good as anyone else at the conference! If you think for one moment that you aren’t as good as some of the “bigger bloggers” who may also be at the same conference as you, just remember, they were once just like you! Honestly, if you approach most of those women, you’ll find that they aren’t as intimidating as you envision. I’ve become friends with many of the “bigger bloggers” and I can say they are some of the kindest, most uplifiting women in social media and, often times, will even help you out.

I packed all 4 of these intangible things into my suitcase and took them with me to The 2015 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I walked into that conference with all that I needed and I did my best! What’s most important to remember is why you came and what you hope to achieve. As you can see, I took a leap of faith (or should I say a jump of faith). Believe in yourself and don’t ever lose your courage or confidence!

Grab a Copy of “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Pet Salon” on Disney DVD May 19! (I’m Also Giving Away a Copy!)

May 1, 2015 / Disney DVDs, Entertainment, Movies

Whenever a new Disney Junior DVD gets released, we get excited around here. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has been one of our favorites since its start in 2006 and every time we hear “The Hot Dog Dance” song come on, we have to stop whatever we may be doing and join in! Have you ever done that? In case you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, here’s a video.

Well, more exciting news…on May 19th, Disney Jr. Home Entertainment will release the adorable new DVD, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Pet Salon! In this DVD, you’ll find Minnie’s sparkling new Pet Salon open for business……and adventure! With over two hours of song-filled pet-themed fun, including 4 additional episodes, Minnie’s Pet Salon is the “purr-fect” gift. Includes Four Additional Pet Themed Episodes and a FREE Exclusive Pet Comb!

Here’s a synopsis: All your Clubhouse pals are bringing their animal friends to get spruced up for Pluto’s All-Star Pet Show. With so many pets to bathe, groom and train, Minnie needs help. Luckily, Mickey and the gang are there to lend a hand. But when three adorable little kittens go missing, it will take the right Mouseketools – and help from YOU – to find them in time for the big show. With over two hours of song-filled pet-themed fun, including 4 additional episodes, Minnie’s Pet Salon is the “purr-fect” gift.

The DVD looks so cute! I just LOVE Minnie and the kindness she demonstrates towards animals. One of my own lucky readers will be able to win a copy of “Minnie’s Pet Salon”! All you have to do is enter on the Rafflecopter below! Don’t forget to comment on this post and tell me who YOUR favorite character is from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! Good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Band Perry, Fifth Harmony / Debby Ryan and Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo / Dennis DeYoung Added to 2015 Toyota Summer Concert Series at The OC Fair!

April 28, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

The OC Fair just announced more performances as part of their 2015 Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre!

Tickets for the following performances will go on sale May 2:

The Band Perry / Annie McQueen (Thursday, July 23)
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – 35th Anniversary / Dennis DeYoung: The Music of Styx (Thursday, August 6)
Fifth Harmony / Debby Ryan & The Never Ending / Bea Miller / Natalie La Rose (Saturday, August 8)

As always, concert tickets include Fair admission.

Tickets for these events go on sale Saturday, May 2, at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster or at the OC Fair & Event Center Box Office, which is open Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or by phone (800) 745-3000.
The remaining performances at the 2015 OC Fair will be announced in the coming months. Sign up for pre-sale emails at ocfair.com.

Connect with The OC Fair on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Celebrate Bear Awareness Day on May 2 at The Orange County Zoo!

April 27, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, Orange County

Did you know that May 2 is Bear Awareness Day? You are invited to come learn more about bears and have fun at the OC Zoo on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family event will include activities such as crafts for kids, special zookeeper chats about bears, and a learning station where you can find out more about bear conservation and research, how to “bear proof” camping sites, and what to do if you see a bear.

Reservations are not needed for this event.
All activities are free with paid zoo admission, which is $2 per person. (ages 2 & under are free.)

Visit OC Zoo at http://www.ocparks.com/oczoo.

You Are Invited to the Grand Opening Festivities at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano! (May 1-3)

April 24, 2015 / Food, Lifestyle, Orange County

You are invited to join in on a weekend of festivities at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano’s Wine Bar to celebrate the grand opening of their new wine bar. From Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, the store will be conducting wine tastings, presenting live music, offering an olive oil culinary demo, providing free olive oil ice cream, and more! There will even be an opportunity for someone to win free olive oil for a year!

We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano, the unique culinary retail boutique located in downtown San Juan Capistrano, recently announced the opening of its quaint wine bar. Designed to be tasting-oriented and educational, the wine bar will offer small-production artisan wines, a selection of specialty handcrafted beers and small tapas plates that feature We Olive products. With over 20, small production California wines offered by the taste, glass, or bottle, guests are invited to shop and taste in the store’s comfortably elegant environment.

Here’s a schedule of grand opening weekend’s events:

Friday, May 1
Wine Tasting + Live Acoustical Music (5:30 p.m. – close)
Celebrate the start of the weekend with a wine tasting of We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano’s small-production artisan wines with live music all in We Olive & Wine Bar’s comfortably elegant environment.
Saturday, May 2
Events all day starting at 11:00 a.m. and wrapping up at 8:00 p.m.
Stop by for free olive oil ice cream at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil class with Carol Firenze, founder of The Passionate Olive and author of The Passionate Olive – 101 Things To Do With Olive Oil from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by a special book signing from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Meet the award-winning Fandango olive oil growers and learn the stories of the growers themselves from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Join Brian Cameron of Levendi Winery in Napa Valley for a delicious wine and cheese pairing from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 3
Events all day starting at 11:00 a.m. and wrapping up at 6:00 p.m.
Stop by for free olive oil ice cream at We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil grower demo with Olivas De Oro from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Attend an olive oil culinary demo featuring “Fast and Easy Flavor with California Olive Oil” presented by Suzie Lewitan and Olivas De Oro from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hungry? Join us for a beer and cheese pairing with Max from Aniata Cheese from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

In addition to artisan wines, We Olive’s wine bar will also offer delicious, healthy foods, including shareable bites, salads, hummus and spreads, flatbreads and sweets. Specialty menu items, include: an Artisan Cheese and Charcuterie Plate featuring an ever-changing selection of artisanal cheeses and hand-made salumi with crackers, fruit, nuts, sweet balsamic mustard and Colorado sweet yellow clover honey; Stuffed Peppadews, mild, sweet South African pickled peppers stuffed with goat cheese and salami and then drizzled with aged balsamic vinegar; and an Arugula, Blue Cheese and Apricot Salad, which comes complete with toasted almonds and blue cheese, tossed in peach white balsamic vinegar and Ascolano olive oil.

Just in time for spring, We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano will offer its guests a happy hour, every Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The happy hour specials will include $3 off all wines by the glass, $2 off craft beer and $3 off select menu items. In addition, We Olive will offer a weekly “Wine Wednesday” where guests can enjoy half off wines by the glass all day. These specials will constantly change based on the new wines and ever changing seasonal menu.

Whether you’re shopping for a unique gift, in search of some lite, healthy bites, or want to do some wine tasting, stop by We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano and you can find it all.

We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano is located in downtown San Juan Capistrano.

31760 Camino Capistrano Suite B

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Visit them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

(images provided by We Olive & Wine Bar San Juan Capistrano)

Cirque du Soleil KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ is Coming to Southern California October 15! Tickets on Sale Now!

April 23, 2015 / Family Fun, Lifestyle, OC Fair, Orange County

Cirque du Soleil is returning to Southern California with its newest touring show, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™! Beginning October 15, the iconic blue-and-yellow Big Top will be up in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair & Event Center.

KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ premiered to the world in Montréal in April 2014 and is Cirque du Soleil’s 35th production. Written and directed by Michel Laprise, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities™ is a tale in which time comes to a complete stop, transporting the audience inside a fantasy world where everything is possible. In this realm set in the latter half of the nineteenth century, reality is quite relative indeed as our perception of it is utterly transformed. The name of the show refers to the humble and strange characters that inhabit the Seeker’s Cabinet of Curiosities.

In an alternate yet familiar past, in a place where wonders abound for those who trust their imagination, a Seeker discovers that in order to glimpse the marvels that lie just below the surface, we must first learn to close our eyes. In his larger-than-life curio cabinet, the Seeker is convinced that there exists a hidden, invisible world – a place where the craziest ideas and the grandest dreams lie waiting. A collection of otherworldly characters suddenly steps into his makeshift mechanical world. When the outlandish, benevolent characters turn his world upside down with a touch of poetry and humor in an attempt to ignite the Seeker’s imagination, his curios jump to life one by one before his very eyes.

Exclusive access to the best seats and prices are available for existing Cirque Club members starting on April 20. Visit cirquedusoleil.com/cirqueclub to sign up for a complimentary membership. Cirque Club members receive advance access to the best seats under the Big Top, deals and discounts for tickets, promotions with partners and a chance to experience never before seen exclusive Cirque du Soleil content. Tickets will be available for purchase by the general public beginning May 1 by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/kurios or calling 1-877-9 CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783). Tickets range from $50 – $165.

This Costa Mesa appearance, plus a performance at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles beginning December 18, will be the only Cirque du Soleil engagements in Southern California in 2015, so you’ll want to grab your tickets for this amazing production now!

i♥oc Giving Day is Here! Show Your Love for Orange County and Join in by Giving Back! #iheartOC

April 21, 2015 / Lifestyle, Orange County, Uncategorized

It’s here…the 1st Annual country-wide fundraiser to raise money that directly gives back to OC nonprofits. Join the Orange County Community Foundation as they attempt to raise their goal of $2 million for OC nonprofits. This virtual, online event will last just 30 hours, starting at 6 a.m. on April 21 and going until noon on April 22. During this time period, you’ll have the opportunity to show OC non-profits how much you care! Participating Orange County nonprofits will be eligible to receive funding through bonus awards and prizes provided by OCCF and their Giving Day partners. (Just look at the long list of amazing partners!)

I am so proud to call Orange County “home” and have lived here for a great majority of my life. It warms my own heart to see so many exemplary OC non-profits giving back to those in need within our community. I also know how much work goes on behind the scenes of these non-profits and how desperately they are always in need of donations in order to keep up the work they’re doing. It’s so important to give when you can, especially when it’s beneficial to local organizations.

Here are just some of the reasons why you should give on #iheartoc Giving Day:

Your donation stays local
Your gift benefits the cause you choose
Pool your donation with others from OC who share the passion to help
A little goes a long way. (Donations start at just $25)

I encourage everyone to participate in Orange County Community Foundation’s #iheartoc Giving Day and make a donation in honor of your love for The OC. It takes the entire community to come together and encourage Orange County’s spirit of giving so you can also join in and spread the word. Give to an OC nonprofit that speaks to your heart by visiting iheartoc.org.