This week we raised “Flag One,” a 60’ x 30’ American flag at the future Orange County Veterans Cemetery located at Gypsum Canyon during a ceremony organized by Vice Chairman Donald Wagner.

Our Board of Supervisor colleagues, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Senator Josh Newman, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, and veteran advocates Nick Berardino and Bobby MacDonald were also present for the momentous occasion.

With the signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 1595 into law, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (Cal Vet) can begin studying the site, using the $20 million that the Board allocated for its development.

We are excited by these next steps towards making the Orange County Veterans Cemetery a reality.

Pictured from left to right: Ambassador Paulette Chaffee, Navy Lieutenant Marshall Chaffee, and Chairman Doug Chaffee

Pictured from left to right: Bobby McDonald, Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chairman Doug Chaffee, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Vice Chairman Don Wagner, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, and Senator Josh Newman

You are invited to join me and my Supervisor colleagues for our 2022 Holiday Open House at our new County Administration North (CAN) Building!

When: Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: 400 W. Civic Center Dr., Sixth Floor, Santa Ana, CA 92701

We will all open up our offices and provide you with food and refreshments.

Free parking is available at P4 - CAN Surface Parking Lot located at 630 North Broadway Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701. 

If you need assistance finding P4 or the CAN building, please view the OC Civic Center map.

We are experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases, along with other winter viruses such as influenza and RSV. Residents should take these steps if they start feeling sick:

1. Get tested for COVID-19. Tests are available at local pharmacy’s or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/covidtest for testing options and locations.
2. Act fast to seek COVID-19 treatment if you have symptoms by calling a healthcare provider or urgent care center – COVID-19 treatments must be taken within 5-7 days of when symptoms start to work.
3. Isolate from others for at least 5 full days. Use the Personal Testing and Isolation Calculator to help you determine how long you should isolate.
4. Tell people you recently interacted with that they may have been exposed.
5. Call the Statewide COVID-19 hotline if you need help with finding free COVID-19 treatment or
   want more information, at (833) 422-4255.

* Individuals who are having challenges with gaining access to care, are underinsured, or are uninsured can connect to a free telehealth provider by visiting www.sesamecare.com/covidca or calling (833) 686-5051.

TIP - Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County is recruiting new volunteers for their 2023 Training Academy.

TIP is a group of specially trained volunteers who provide emotional first aid and practical support in the first few hours following a tragedy or traumatic event. TIP Volunteers are available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

Becoming a TIP volunteer is a way of making a hands on difference in someone’s life when they really need someone.

To learn more, please see the flyer below, email tipvolunteeroc@gmail.com, or call (949) 354-3355.

Ambassador Paulette Chaffee attended the 18th Annual Fullerton Women’s Leadership Forum, hosted by the Woman's Club of Fullerton, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva and former Fullerton Councilmember and Mayor Pro-Tem Pam Keller.

The annual event recognizes the achievements of Women in and around the Fullerton community.

Congratulations to the 2022 Fullerton Women’s Leadership Forum honorees:

• Excellence in Leadership Award: Jessie Jones
• Public Service Award: Vicki Calhoun
• Philanthropic Leadership Award: Theresa Stachelski (Taz)
• Business Leadership Award: Marcella de Anda
• Rising Star Award: Jasmine Hernandez

We also congratulate the Woman’s Club of Fullerton for celebrating 120 years of service.

And thank you to the committee members and sponsors for hosting another fantastic event in the Fourth District.

Our County of Orange Social Services Agency is hosting Operation Santa Claus (OSC) & Senior Santa and Friends (SSF) this holiday season. 

OSC provides gifts and toys to children who are in foster care in Orange County as well as to children of disadvantaged families. Last year, OSC distributed more than 19,000 toys and gifts to children in need. 

SSF also provides gifts and special request items such as household appliances, special medical equipment, nutritional supplements or clothing to low-income seniors or severely disabled adults who are clients of the Orange County Social Services Agency and/or the OC Health Care Agency. Last year, SSF provided over 1,115 gifts and necessities to low-income seniors and adults with disabilities in Orange County. 

Support from generous donors helped the programs exceed last year’s goal of raising $30,000. This year organizers are hoping to raise $35,000 in total donations by the end of this year.

Orange County residents can support Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa and Friends by:

• Donating new and unwrapped toys at the collection boxes placed in many County buildings, including most County libraries.
• In addition, Orange County residents may also drop off toys and other gifts at the OSC and SSF drop-off center at 1505 E. Warner Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705.
• Gifts may also be shipped to 1505 E. Warner Ave., G-101, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
• Giving back by coordinating an Angel Tag toy/gift drive for a child or senior in need of a holiday present.
  
• Donating online at:
  
  • Operation Santa Clause
    • ssa.ocgov.com/DonateOSC
      
  • Senior Santa and Friends
    • ssa.ocgov.com/DonateSSF

For more information about Operation Santa Claus, please call (714) 679-2438 or email OperationSantaClaus@ssa.ocgov.com.

For more information about Senior Santa and Friends, please call (714) 825-3111 or e-mail Senior.Santa@ssa.ocgov.com.

May your holidays be FURRY & BRIGHT with the addition of a four-legged family member! OC Animal Care is excited to waive adoption fees for dogs 25 pounds and over throughout the month of December 2022.

Across the nation, shelters are seeing an overwhelming increase in animals, including Orange County. To get our furry friends home for the holidays, those adopting dogs 25 pounds and over will have their adoption fee waived, which includes microchipping, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and an anti-parasite treatment. Waived adoption fees do not include licensing fees or puppies six months of age or younger.

Interested in adopting a new animal friend? View all of our available animals!

With over 400 adoption visits available per week, potential adopters can schedule an adoption appointment today by calling (714) 935-6848. Walk-ins are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis as staffing allows. 

To learn more, please visit www.ocpetinfo.com.

Our Pet of the Week is Benji! He will be available to be adopted through OC Animal Care's May Your Holidays Be Furry & Bright Promotion for dogs 25+ lbs. during the month of December 2022. 

If you are interested in adopting Benji, please call (714) 935-6848.