The “One-Day Christmas Store—Shopping with Dignity” by Better Balance for Long Beach (BBLB) is gearing up for its eighth year of helping needy families with their Christmas presents. The event provides a dignified, free shopping experience each year for hundreds of families who would not otherwise have gifts for Christmas, according to BBLB. The Store is a partnership between BBLB, the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation.
In 2011, Neighborhoods USA awarded BBLB the grand prize as Neighborhood of the Year for the project, and this will be the Store’s second year at its new location— the Seaside Rooms at the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau— on Saturday, Dec. 20. The organizations are seeking monetary contributions and volunteers in an effort to invite 550 families this year. The number of families that can be invited depends on the amount of money raised. The goal this year for the privately funded event is $65,000.
Contributions can be made via checks payable to The Long Beach Neighborhood Foundation (LBNF) and sent to LBNF/BBLB, P.O. Box 16325, Long Beach, CA 90806. Contributers should include “BBLB Christmas Store” in the memo area. Donations can also be made via PayPal at LBFoundation.org . Look for the Donations button in the yellow bar near the top of the page. Donors should put “BBLB Christmas Store” in the “purpose” box.
Funds collected by Nov. 30 will determine how many families can be invited, according to BBLB, and a team of volunteer shoppers will leverage the donors’ dollars by buying brand-new gifts at wholesale cost. All donations are tax deductible, and donors are invited to the grand opening of the store at 10am.
The Store is also looking for volunteers. All volunteers need to be pre-registered. There are no “walk ups” the day of the event. To volunteer, contact Dan Pressburg at BBLB.ChristmasStore@gmail.com with name, contact information and desired shift. The morning shift is from 8am to 12:30pm. The afternoon shift is from noon to 4:30pm.
Families attend by invitation and appointment only. Volunteer “elves” assist with the gift choosing, and kids get to choose gifts for their parents.
To nominate a family in need who lives in Long Beach or Signal Hill and is not participating in another program, contact the appropriate City Council office about submitting the family’s name for an invitation. BBLB does not take direct requests for invitations.
“This event creates lasting, happy Christmas memories for families who, without the help of the Store, might not have any Christmas presents this year,” said BBLB member Jack Smith. “It’s a festive, fun and heartwarming day for all the donors, volunteers and families. We all look forward to this event every year.”
For more information, visit betterbalancelongbeach.org .
Source: BBLB
