From left to right: John Merrill, treasurer, Jesse Bluma, president, Anthony Johnson, vice-president, and Brendon Moeller, interim-secretary.

LCROC has exciting events and opportunities ahead. The board met on Sunday, February 4, 2024 to plan events for the year.  Board members will now work to implement the plans, organize political events, arrange community volunteer opportunities, and provide helpful resources to support the membership.  

In general, board members govern the chapter, maintain oversight, work to make decisions, represent the membership, and honor the founding purpose of LCR.  The chapter board of directors maintains regular communication and has at least four board meetings throughout the year.  There are also interim discussions and meetings held via email, text message, and conference call that occur on an as-needed basis. 

If you are interested in serving as a board member, helping on a chapter committee, or volunteering, please email us.  Here’s a sample message: “Dear LCROC Board, I have been a member of LCROC for ____ years and participate in most events, such as _____.  I have also helped to _____.   Given my passion for the mission of LCR and my expertise in [area of expertise], I would like to discuss leadership opportunities with you.  Sincerely, _____"

Pictured above: 

Spark of Love 2023: Firemen and Children

Participating Partners: 185

Toys Distributed: 38,340

LCROC Board Members sworn in by D.A. Todd Spitzer

Attendees of the LCROC Christmas Party 

Thank you to our membership, guests, and local officials for attending our Christmas Party and Annual Meeting on December 3, 2023. We had a wonderful dinner with members, friends, and guests at Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach, California. A time to give thanks, recognize our shared accomplishments, report on the year, and swear in officers to the board.

Much appreciation for the toy donations from attendees for the Spark of Love campaign. The Spark of Love campaign provides toys for youth in need across Southern California.  Participating in the toy drive demonstrates our commitment to helping in our neighborhoods, problem-solving, and leadership.

"We are blown away with the number of local businesses, schools, and community members who donated to the Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive this year. 🎁 Your donations have made a lasting impact on many Orange County children. Your generosity truly encapsulates our mission: 'In Service of Others.' ❤️" (Orange County Fire Authority)

P.C.: OCFA

Log Cabin Republicans of California PAC and Log Cabin Republicans of Orange County Presents A Candidate Reception with Greg Wallis

We welcome you to this exciting event to hear from Greg Wallis and his campaign for Assembly.

Join us at this cliffside reception to hear from the candidate, make new friends, and show your support for Log Cabin Republicans.  The event will take place at a stunning estate on the cliffs of Laguna Beach known for amazing sunsets.

Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Limited capacity.  This event will sell out.  Purchase your ticket before 8:00 P.M., Monday, January 22, 2024.

For attendees out of the area, make it a day trip.  Enjoy the beach, sites, and all O.C. has to offer.

When: Saturday, January 27, 2024. 3:30-5:30 P.M.

Where: Private residence in Laguna Beach, California.

Address provided to approved guests two days prior to the event.

Street parking available.

Sponsors welcome.  Please contact Kevin Gillhooley to help sponsor the costs of the event.  Sponsors will be acknowledged at the event. 

About the candidate: "In his first year in office, Greg immediately joined the Problem Solvers Caucus, dedicated to putting the public good over partisan politics.  He serves as Vice Chair of the Assembly’s Revenue & Taxation Committee and the Arts, Entertainment, Sports & Tourism Committee.”  Click here to learn more about Greg Wallis.

Click here to RSVP for A Candidate Reception with Greg Wallis before 8:00 P.M., Monday, January 22, 2024.

P.C.: Pexels and G. Wallis

About: a poll is a type of survey, a snapshot in time, that presents a question and alternatives to respondents within a sample. This survey is anonymous to protect the respondents’ identities.

Overview: Americans say each political party has core issue strengths. According to facts collected by analysts at Gallup, the following eight issues are of great significance to the public.

Click here to take the survey to express to us the intensity of your preference.

Poll date range: January 1, 2024 through January 31, 2024.

Log Cabin Republicans is the nation's largest organization representing Republican LGBT Americans and allies.  The Spirit of Lincoln Gala was held on November 11, 2023 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Air Force One Pavilion in Simi Valley, California.  The gala is an annual event to honor those who exemplify a commitment to enhancing personal freedom, encouraging individual responsibility, and ensuring equality under the law for all Americans.

Honorees and Presenters 

Peggy Grande, Emcee (Executive Assistant to U.S. President Ronald Reagan)

Frank Ricchiazzi, LCR Director Emeritus

Richard Grenell, Former U.S. Ambassador

Kellyanne Conway, 2023 Spirit of Lincoln Award

Caitlyn Jenner, 2023 Game Changer Award

Alex Walton, LCR National Political Director

Charles Moran, LCR President

His Royal Highness Reza Pahlavi, 2023 Outspoken Award

A highlight of the gala was Kellyanne Conway's speech, encouraging equality, loving parental attachment with gay children, and a welcoming and neighborly spirit in America.

Individuals that are gay report lower levels of parental closeness, elevated rates of parental abuse, abandonment, and societal discrimination.  Surveys thus show increased risk of using drugs, tobacco, vaping, and alcohol. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)

National Family Partnership, formerly the National Federation of Parents for Drug Free Youth, was established as a grassroots, nonprofit organization in 1980 by a handful of concerned and determined parents who were convinced they should begin to play a leadership role in drug prevention...NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign™." (Red Ribbon Campaign)

Origins: “Enrique ’Kiki’ Camarena was a special agent who worked for the Drug Enforcement Administration. In 1985, he was kidnapped by drug traffickers in Guadalajara, Mexico. His murder and death brought anger to the community and was a catalyst for the Red Ribbon Campaign. Together in Kiki’s honor, parents and youth in communities nationwide began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness around his killing and the destruction caused by drugs in America.

In 1985, club members presented the ’Camarena Club Proclamation’ to then First Lady Nancy Reagan, bringing it national attention. Later that summer, parent groups in California, Illinois, and Virginia began promoting the wearing of red ribbons nationwide during late October.” (“The History of Red Ribbon Week”)

Visit the NFP website to get resources and activities for students, parents, educators, business leaders, faith based leaders, government representatives, law enforcement, media leaders, and the medical community.

Discover more about living healthy, wellness, drug information, services, and research at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Also, LCROC provides a list of trusted helplines and resources to support members.

1985: “November 16 - Log Cabin Republicans of Orange County signed their first by-laws" (Orange County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Timeline Project).

“The collection consists of newspaper clippings, publications, and ephemera about Orange County, California's gay and lesbian communities.  The materials were collected by multiple individuals as part of the Orange County Historical Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Timeline Project.”

(Orange County Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Timeline research files.  MS-R105. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California.)

Interactive History: The trailblazers of California were courageous, created, and defended the state and culture.

“Kit” Carson (December 24, 1809–May 23, 1868), a Kentuckian of Scots-Irish descent, was a hard-working farmer, leader in the Union Army during the Civil War, and frontiersman.  His brave trek, through what would later become Orange County, created some of our cultural foundations.

Suppose you were to interview Kit Carson, what would you ask him? 

(Library of Congress)

Interactive History: On December 5, 1775, less than six months after the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution, a petition was presented to honor Salem Poor.

“Salem had been in Concord, Massachusetts when the British marched to take the stockpiles of munitions there.  Along with other American militia, Salem drove the British back to Boston."

Salem’s efforts were recognized by Colonel William Prescott.  

Who would you honor with a petition for an act of bravery in action?

“African American Service during the Revolution.”  American Battlefield Trust,  www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/african-american-service-during-revolution.

Remembering Rush Limbaugh on his birthday (January 12, 1951-February 17, 2021).