Southern Californians get into the spirit of Christmas giving

On a rainy day in Pacific Palisades, dozens of well-dressed women wander through a home filled with brightly colored baskets and stacks of silks. Picture frames made from soda cans line the tables next to bags woven from recycled trash.

Maricia Simcik sells all of these products out of her home to benefit the Spiral Foundation. The Spiral Foundation supports education and medical aid in Vietnam and Tibet.

“We fund these important medical projects not asking for donations but instead selling items done in our workshops,” says Simcik.

Over the past decade, Simcik has raised more than $1 million, largely through the shopping habits of people like Lynne Rosenfield. Rosenfield stands juggling three bags of handmade goods.

“I was laughing this year that I either have or have bought every single thing here,” Rosenfield says. “They’re unique. People always love them. They love the cause, the fact that they’re contributing to something really meaningful.”

This year, many people are like Lynne Rosenfield. They want to stretch their dollars – and they want to stretch the reach of their spending.

To do that, some gift givers are purchasing greeting cards from the Venice Family Clinic. The clinic supports free medical care for nearly 25, 000 people.

Mugs and cookies from Homeboy Industries help kids from East L.A. out of gangs. For oved ones who are into the outdoors, a day use pass could get them into a state park and help them keep that same park open for the future.

John Kobara is the Executive Vice President and chief operating officer of the California Community Foundation. He says charitable giving has dropped by about 30-percent this year.

“The need out there is pretty extraordinary and probably far greater than we understand,” Kobara says.

If you want to help out, he recommends finding a cause that resonates with you.

“Thinking about what we care about, want to do in our communities and using that as a driver; not just helping the less fortunate - that’s always good,” he says. “But also think about what you think is important in the community.”

If supporting literacy and creativity are critical issues for you, stop by the headquarters of 826LA in Echo Park. The gifts at 826LA’s Time Travel Mart fund the program’s creative writing classes.

826LA employee Lauren Rogers shows off a few of the Time Travel Mart’s silly products like mammoth chunks and dodo bird food.

“We have some these are our bottled ‘isms.’ We have optimism, romanticism, Reaganism, socialism, really popular in the store,” says Rogers.

Even though most of the products in the Time Travel Mart are gimmicks, the intent is real. And Rogers says even at $10, $20 and $50 dollars, these fanciful gifts appeal to shoppers

“I feel like people can feel good about giving presents from here - gifts for the holidays - because their gifts actually go toward free programming for kids.”

John Kobara with the California Community Foundation says many charities sell cards or mugs - so there are plenty of ways to put a cause to your Christmas cash.

“Anything you can do that makes sense,” says Kobara. “And if it’s just starting out, buy a mug - and the next time, just give the money.”

Kobara says if you need ideas, start with the basics: food banks, health clinics and homeless shelters. They can always use your help – and not just during the holiday season.

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Holiday Shopping to Support CCF Arts Grantees

This year, you can buy unique, affordable gifts while also supporting CCF arts grantees who are providing arts and cultural services to underserved communities across Los Angeles County.

Avenue
50 Studio
Original and affordable
prints, paintings, jewelry, scarves, etc., by more than 30 artists.

Music, spiced eggnog and holiday refreshments

Avenue 50 Studio, 131 North Ave. 50, Highland Park, CA 90042

The Centerfor Cultural Innovation
The center presents “The Business of Art: An Artists' Guide to Profitable Self-Employment,” a book that provides expert advice and practical information on becoming a successful, self-employed creative entrepreneur and how to maximize your artistic career. CCF grantees save $7 off the $34.95 retail price. To receive your discount, use discount code "CCF-Book" at checkout.

Great Leap
To All Relations,” a solo album by Nobuko Miyamoto, Great Leap's
founder and artistic director, or “A Grain of Sand,” an Asian American folk album by Nobuko, Chris Ijima and Charlie Chin.

Khmer
Arts
Books, music and videos featuring exquisite Cambodian classical dance and music productions.

McGroarty Arts Center
Crafts handmade by local jewelers, potters, painters and artisans. The boutique features nostalgic holiday decor, live acoustic music, story time for children and the popular Chili Bowl Sale for $10.
McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga, CA 91042

Self
Help Graphics & Art
Art, jewelry and crafts by local artists as well as both new and vintage monoprints, etchings and limited edition silkscreen prints from Self Help Graphics & Art's collection.
Self Help Graphics & Art's Upstairs Salon, 3802 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90063

The Watts Village Theater Company
"Heart of Watts" and "Watts Towers," courtesy of the Watts Towers Arts Center, are each handcrafted and reflect the diversity and resilience of the Watts community.

Homeboy Industries holiday promos available for purchase:
Homegirl Café (in person only, not available online)
Various chutneys in 8 or 16 oz jars
Granola mixes
Coffee by-the-pound
Gift cards – in any increment

Homeboy Bakery
Latte mugs filled w/cookies (can be purchased online)
Holiday pies (have to go in person)

Skid Row Housing Trust
For a gift of $200, the recipient of your choice will receive a beautiful hardcover book commemorating the Trust's 20th anniversary, a subscription to the Trust News monthly newsletter and a personalized holiday card message.
Your gift helps the Trust end homelessness through permanent supportive housing for the most vulnerable men and women on Skid Row.
This gift is only available while supplies last. Donations must be received no later than Dec. 16 for book delivery by Dec. 24.
(http://www.skidrow.org/20th.html)

Venice Family Clinic
Greeting cards, T-shirts, posters with original art.
(http://store.venicefamilyclinic.org/)

Saban Free Clinic
Greeting cards. (
href="http://www.thesabanfreeclinic.org/">http://www.thesabanfreeclinic.org)

Villa Esperanza Services (serves seniors)
Thursday, 12/17/09     Adult Day Program holiday party. Holiday
Bazaar will also take place on same day with seasonal crafts on sale, created by clients and staff.