Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This recess, I had the opportunity spend more time in our district and want to provide an update on some of our November activities throughout Orange County. With only a month before the Legislature reconvenes on January 5th, 2026, below are some of the activities my staff and I participated in.
Have a blessed holiday season.
Senator Steven Choi
Heli-Hydrant Facility Dedication
To start the month, Senator Choi attended the Heli-Hydrant Facility Dedication at the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant. The dedication celebrated a new helicopter hydrant, providing firefighters with a strategic water source to assist in aerial firefighting efforts. This effort brought together the Metropolitan and Yorba Linda water districts, highlighting collaboration and interagency cooperation. It was exciting to attend this dedication alongside Mayor Janice Lim, city councilors, and team members from the water districts.
Veterans Day Ceremony – Irvine
On Tuesday, November 11, our office was honored to attend the City of Irvine’s Veterans Day Ceremony, joining residents, veterans, and community leaders in paying tribute to the brave men and women who have served our nation. During the event, we presented a Certificate of Recognition to the City in appreciation of their continued commitment to honoring veterans and fostering a spirit of gratitude within the community. It was a meaningful celebration of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
UCI Health’s Hospital Ribbon Cutting- Irvine
On Friday, November 14, Senator Choi attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for UCI Health Irvine Hospital, joining residents and UCI Health staff in celebrating the upcoming opening of the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital. Despite the rainy weather, the community toured the new seven-story facility, which features spacious patient rooms, smart technology, and sustainable design elements. The event highlighted UCI Health’s commitment to expanding access to advanced medical care for South Orange County as the hospital prepares to open this December.
District Retreat
This month, team Choi also celebrated our 1 st annual staff retreat within the 37 th District. The retreat gave our capitol and district teams a chance to collaborate in-person to deliver strategize on the best possible ways to serve our communities. This opportunity allowed us to discuss priorities and ensure that we will be ready to support you in this upcoming legislative year.
Turkey Giveaway
On November 15, Senator Choi teamed up with Assemblyman Tri Ta, Representative Dave Min, Representative Derek Tran, and Northgate Gonzalez Market in supporting Hyundai USA’s Turkey giveaway for families in need. The event allocated 750 frozen turkeys to local families and brought the community together. It was a great moment of community support, and we are sincerely grateful to Hyundai USA’s continued support of local families.
Love Our Schools Day- Costa Mesa
Also on Saturday, our office proudly participated in Love Our Schools Day, joining volunteers across Costa Mesa to support improvement projects at local schools. Despite some cold and rainy weather, the team remained committed to giving back and helping create welcoming, supportive learning environments for all students. This annual event continues to bring together residents, educators, and community partners with one shared goal, ensuring every student feels supported and valued. We want to give a special thanks to Love Costa Mesa and Trellis for their continued dedication to strengthening the community.
Food Drive
During this month, our office partnered with South Community Outreach to restock their food pantry during this challenging season with our food drive. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we collected hundreds of donated items, including boxed cereal, canned foods, rice and beans, boxed pasta, peanut butter and jelly, and pasta sauce – amounting to well over 1,000 pounds. These items are essential to supporting individuals and families in need and this effort reflects the strength of our community. We greatly appreciate all of those who have donated and supported the cause.
Applications for the 2026-27 cohort of Senate Fellows are due December 8th! Rooted in experiential learning and public service, Senate Fellows spend 11 months as part of a cohort working in the Capitol office of a California State Senator. College seniors and recent graduates are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is December 8, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Start your application here today! For more information, visit the Senate Fellowship webpage or access the digital Senate Fellowship Program Brochure . This program includes a $4888/month stipend as well as health, vision, and dental benefits.