Come Help Wrap Gifts And Give Holiday Joy To Long Beach Kids

DAYS Long Beach is helping Long Beach, California residents grab some holiday giving joy this season by purchasing a specific gift for a specific Long Beach child whose family may have fallen on hard times during COVID.

DAYS Long Beach is a 501c3 based out of, but separate from, First Congregational Church of Long Beach. It has an over 4 decade history of serving underprivileged kids in Long Beach from when it was founded by Mrs. Dorothy Baker, a professor at CSULB over 40 years ago.

DAYS Long Beach, in partnership with the surrounding community, has a decades-long tradition of supporting neighborhood families at the holidays. They have lugged bags heavy with toys and food into the sanctuary, and some old timers here in 90802 may even remember the days when Dorothy Baker’s front lawn would be covered in crates of milk and eggs awaiting delivery to local families in need. It is through community partners that DAYS Long Beach (previously Downtown Associated Youth Services) is able to reach children and youth in our community, and DAYS Long Beach gifts are sometimes the only presents they receive.

Long Beach residents gave so generously last year, and DAYS Long Beach is asking them to do the same again this year. Many families continue to be hit hard by the pandemic, and the generosity of Long Beach residents makes a big difference in how children and youth experience the joy of Christmas.

If you visit https://bit.ly/DAYS2021 it will take you to an online sign-up sheet that lists all of the items needed to provide each child with specially selected gifts that consider their age, gender, family, culture, needs, and interests. Please note that we are only seeking these specific items (no random toys, books, supplies), and we are not collecting any food. Please bring purchased items to First Congregational Church of Long Beach between 9:00am and 5:00pm up until Sunday, December 5th at 10:00 am . The gifts will be received and blessed during the First Church worship Service of Celebration. Please click the link to learn more, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Nancy Valencia is the Executive Director of DAYS. She can be reached at DaysExec@gmail.com.

After the worship service during which the gifts are blessed, they will be wrapped for delivery to the kids. DAYS Long Beach is looking for volunteer wrappers to work from Noon to 3:00pm on Sunday December 5, 2021. Volunteers are asked to bring wrapping paper, scissors and tape. If you'd like brighten your season by playing an elf in Santa's workshop this Sunday, contact Nancy at the email above.