Season of giving is on at Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is no Grinch.

The hotel will be collecting canned food, toys, books and stuffed animals to donate to local charities throughout the holiday season, according to a news release. Guests who donate will receive a card that gives them 15% off in the hotel's restaurants and shops, plus a free day of valet parking.

The resort will collect canned goods and non-perishable food items at the Thanks-for-Giving Buffet on Nov. 24 and the Christmas Day Buffet on Dec. 25. All items will be donated to the Orange County Rescue Mission.

Donations of children's books and toys will be collected at the hotel's Holiday Tree Lighting on Nov. 20 and at Holiday Story Telling events, to be held Fridays and Saturdays from Dec. 2 to 17. These items will go to Miracles for Kids, which helps brighten the lives of children with cancer and other illnesses.

Stuffed teddy bears or animals donated at the Teddy Bear Tea on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 will go to the Children's Hospital of Orange County.

Additionally, the proceeds from the fourth annual Surfboard Auction from Nov. 19 to Dec. 31 will go to Surfers Healing, which helps enhance the lives of autistic children by exposing them to surfing, according to the news release.

The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is at 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point.

—Kelly Parker