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Overview
Lending a hand is at the very core of Presbyterian beliefs. At Anaheim First Presbyterian Church we are able to reach out on a number of different levels and in different ways. Sometimes it's as simple as having the available space that is needed for a group's monthly meetings -- sometimes it's actually doing the physical labor involved to help enrich the lives of our surrounding community. The Anaheim Presbyterian Children's Center and the Anaheim Community Theater have separate pages on this site. La Iglesia Presbiteriana Getsemani is an Hispanic Presbyterian congregation based on our same campus and with whom we share our sanctuary. Their phone number is (714) 535-3281 and their worship service begins at noon on Sundays led by Pastor José Martí. Each month, the Stewardship, Mission and Outreach Committee gives our members a challenge to donate specific types of items used in a Community Partners Program that gives a leg up to those trying to find sure footing on their life's journey. They are simple gifts - diapers, school supplies, cleaning products - but we have all needed them at sometime in our own lives. As the old Shaker hymn states, "'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be kind."
Mission Yearbook
The Mission Yearbook of Prayer and Study is a daily snapshot of Presbyterian outreach and an uplifting resource of great works carried out in the name of Jesus Christ. It could be dubbed "Chicken Soup for the Presbyterian Soul"!
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes for the working poor in Orange County and around the World. The home owners put in required hours of sweat equity, that is, they help to build their own homes. They also agree to pay off interest free loans on their homes. There is always a need for volunteers, not just builders, but fundraisers, office workers, church outreach liaisons, food for the work crews, and organizers. Financial donations allow for contributions of everything including the kitchen sink! If there's a handyman on your gift list, attach a donation of bricks or a window to that new power tool he's been talking about. Contact Aldra Robinson at (714) 434-6264 or 434-6245 for information in the Orange County community. Her office hours are weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Halcyon
Dedicated in July 1992, the Anaheim Interfaith Shelter (aka Halcyon) is a transitional living center for families giving them a safe place to live while saving up the funds needed to secure a permanent address. In addition to fund raising efforts, Anaheim First Presbyterian Church maintains one of the apartments. More information.
Harborlites Anaheim
Harborlites Anaheim is a professional women's chorus that rehearses in our fellowship hall on Monday evenings and also uses our facility for performances. Associated with Sweet Adelines, the Harborlites specialize in barbershop style part singing with close harmonies. We are pleased that our facilities are extensive enough to house this wonderful group of ladies.
Heifer International
Through Heifer International, you can buy a whole barnyard full of critters and not have to look after any of them! "Teach a man to fish" has been the practical and powerful philosophy behind Heifer projects since 1944. Through Heifer, a Christmas goose might be raised in Jianyang, China. Plant a tree on Arbor day in Peru. Sending a bunny to Zimbabwe at Easter will reap years of rewards. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Jones are Orange County's conduit to this very worthy effort to stamp out world hunger. Contact them at (714) 538-5716. In 2004, Heifer is celebrating 35 years of partnering with the Presbyterian Hunger Program. Presbyterians have contributed more than $75 million through the national church and raised millions more through individual presbyteries and congregations.
Orange County Congregation Community Organization
Thankfully, this group usually goes by its acronym! OCCCO's offices are located on our campus. Their Director, Regina Martinez, can be reached at (714) 491-0771. OCCCO is a faith-based organization that creates positive community change. Their slogan is "Building Just Communities". They offer a method of organizing faith-based groups to develop leadership and power that creates positive individual, institutional, and community change. Working in all aspects of Orange County community life, their efforts have resulted in $6 million in funding of health clinics, over 1,000 documents returned to victims of fraud, new code enforcement officers in Costa Mesa and $200,000 worth of traffic improvements in Fullerton. This is just a partial list! Anaheim First Presbyterian Church is one of 15 inner city congregations participating in these efforts.
Paint Your Heart Out Anaheim, Inc.
Many people own their homes but due to physical restrictions or the limitations of living on a retirement income cannot afford to maintain the outside appearance in the way they would like. For 14 years, Paint Your Heart Out Anaheim has come to the rescue. To date, individuals and groups of volunteers have refurbished 591 houses. This year, PYHO began a program in nearby Santa Ana as well. Paint buckets and brushes in hand, Anaheim First Presbyterian Church members spent three Saturdays in May 2004 on a house which marks our 13th year of involvement in this rewarding program. CLICK HERE to view photos of this year's project.
Third World Gifts
Third World Gifts prides itself on buying directly from third world artisans therefore eliminating the middle men and ensuring that more money lands in the hands of the artisans themselves. They offer a wide selection of gifts from around the world including jackets from India, Latin American wood carvings and alpaca sweaters from South America - all hand made. Call Sue Fennick at (714) 288-1434 for more information. Third World Gifts is located a 152 N. Glassell Street in the City of Orange. These are uniquely crafted items not found in any of the cookie cutter shopping malls.
United Nations Association/UNICEF
Like Third World Gifts, shopping at the UNICEF store yields a treasure trove of unique gifts and there is always a wonderful selection of greeting cards. Orange County boasts a very active chapter. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, was founded in 1946 just after World War II to help European children suffering from the devastation of war. In 1953 UNICEF's mandate was expanded to include children in developing countries. Nearly 11 million children under the age of 5 die each year mostly from preventable causes. Each donation brings the UNA a step closer to stamping out the suffering of HIV/AIDS; providing immunizations against many childhood ailments and the abolition of children being sold into devastating lives of prostitution and forced labor. This list is much longer, but adding UNA/UNICEF to your shopping list will go far to alleviate suffering among children throughout our planet. Visit the United Nations Center at 2428 N. Grand, Suite F in Santa Ana. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Special holiday hours include noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays during the months of November and December. Visit UNICEF USA's extensive online store. Contact Suzanne Darweesh or Ruth Leger at (714) 542-9743 for additional ways to help their many worthwhile programs.
Community Partners
Each month our community partners group asks our congregation to bring useful items to church the following week. We work with two social workers from the Orange County Department of Social Services in Santa Ana. When people apply for assistance, they are usually in dire need of necessity items. As it takes time for the paperwork to be completed before aid can be rendered, our group helps to IMMEDIATELY provide items such as personal hygiene items, food, diapers, cleaning supplies, school supplies with backpacks,etc., when people first come to the social services office. It is their only means for instant assistance. The social workers come to church to pick up the items we have collected. Our groups like to make a difference in peoples' lives.
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Fax (714) 535-4454 
