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THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON

THE OLLV FOUNDATION HOSTS ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS MARKET & CONCERT

By BRITNEY ZINT     12/23/2024

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS came alive on Dec. 13 when Catholics and non-Catholics alike came together to celebrate the season and bring joy to hospital-bound children.

The OLLV Foundation hosted its first Christmas Market and Concert at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange campus on Dec. 13. The free event brought in donations and more than 1,000 toys for the CHOC Children’s Hospital.

“Just putting a smile on someone’s face, just one child, even if it’s just for a minute, would mean a lot to us,” said OLLV Foundation member Ana Duval.

THE OLLV FOUNDATION HOSTED ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS MARKET AND CONCERT AT THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF ORANGE CAMPUS ON DEC. 13. PHOTO BY IAN TRAN/DIOCESE OF ORANGE

For the holidays, the foundation wanted to give back to the community at large and bring joy to the children at CHOC, said Fr. Tuyen Nguyen.

“This is with a spirit of Christmas and with the idea of bringing joy to the people,” he said.

The concert was free and was performed by musicians, who volunteered their time and talents, said OLLV Foundation CEO Elysabeth Nguyen, who came up with the idea. The concert featured singers, instrumentalists, choirs and a youth band with performances of Christmas classics like “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night,” and “O Holy Night.”

“We wanted to do something this Christmas to give thanks, obviously to God, but to all the people in the communities that made us who we are today,” said Elysabeth Nguyen. “Instead of fundraising and asking them, we are supporting them spiritually through song.”

Music is an international language, and Christmas music specifically is a constant in our ever-changing, sometimes chaotic world, said violinist and musical arranger Stefano Stefan, who performed at the concert.

The classically trained musician said the familiarity and resonance of Christmas songs from an early age is like coming home.

“It’s something that’s withstood the test of time,” Stefan said. “It’s amazing. It keeps us grounded. So, I hope people walk away feeling good and warm inside … I hope that they walk away with a feeling of positivity, a positive spirit and seeing the world in a more positive light than perhaps when they walked in.”

The event also featured a European-style Christmas market with popcorn popping, a colorful array of homemade cookies, tamales, dumplings and more.

Elysabeth Nguyen said even when the foundation tried to purchase items, people gave them away instead.
Sweet Stuff Truck owner Jose Guzman brought his churro truck to the Christmas market.

While not Catholic, Guzman describes himself as a follower of Christ and jumped at the opportunity to serve others. He was amazed to see so many others doing the same.

“All these people donating their time from all different ethnic groups, it’s just amazing,” Guzman said. “I really don’t even have words to describe what I’m feeling right now — fulfillment, awe, serenity, everything. It’s a joy.”

The event was a culminating moment for the OLLV Foundation, which this year heralded the opening of its two major projects: the Marian Gardens and St. Callistus Chapel and Crypts, both on the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove. The foundation has been actively fundraising for both, as well as the Our Lady of La Vang Shrine, for the past few years.

While the OLLV Foundation’s projects are now completed and open to the public, Fr. Tuyen said the spirit of the foundation continues on. He hopes they can do more to enrich the community beyond Christ Cathedral. Tuyen said the ideas range from helping the homeless and the poor, to education and activities for seniors.

“That is the hope and the desire and the dream of the OLLV Foundation,” Fr. Tuyen said.

To learn more about the foundation and about donations, visit OLLVFoundation.org or call (714) 282-4290.