Orange County First Assembly continues to host grocery distributions. Last week, Pastor Drew and his congregation helped dozens of folks, including a mother of three who had recently been laid off. Volunteers found out it was one of the kid’s birthday, so they made sure to send the family home with extra groceries and cake mix. It’s compassion like this that is so inspiring.

Consider helping Community Action Partnership (CAPOC) of Orange County feed OC seniors with a donation. My office’s appointee to the CAPOC Board, 75-year-old Alberta Christy, has helped pack boxes of food for seniors nearly every day throughout the pandemic. I want to thank her and all of the volunteers for their crucial work.

Donate here

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and we must acknowledge the new and unfamiliar stress that this pandemic has placed upon us all. Now more than ever, we must ensure that people are familiar with mental health resources here in Orange County. If you or someone you know is struggling, which many of us are, please access resources through the Orange County Health Care Agency and Be Well OC.

We rely on our healthcare heroes now more than ever to provide life-saving services to our communities. Join me in thanking our incredible nurses on the front lines as they fight the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide critical care to all patients. To our nurses, thank you.

During Black April last Thursday, over 58,000 U.S. service members, and hundreds of thousands of South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians gave their lives in the struggle against Communism and oppression. In the past, our communities have come together to commemorate. This year will be different because we cannot gather together and express our solidarity face-to-face, but we can stand together in our reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our shared democratic ideals.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, my staff and I enjoyed take-out on Tuesday from Sarinana's Tamale Factory, which has been serving incredible food in Santa Ana for over 75 years. While today officially commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla, here in the United States it is closely tied to celebrations of Mexican-American heritage and identity.

I had a great time filming for an upcoming Census 2020 video encouraging everyone to help us get a complete count. Remember, the Census helps determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities like ours.

You can complete the Census online at www.my2020Census.gov or by phone at (844) 461-2020. By law, your answers will remain confidential, so you stay safe.

‪Staying at home has a lot of us gardening. A compost garden can help increase soil health, reduce methane emissions from landfills, and reduce pesticide and chemical use. This international compost awareness week you can find fun tips, facts, and family activities by following OC Waste & Recycling or visiting www.oclandfills.com/learn.