Operation Easter Basket-Deadline 3/24/05
OPERATION EASTER BASKET brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations right here in Long Beach through gift-filled Easter Baskets containing items such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, essential clothing items and some candy. This program, organized by Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on project while focusing on the true meaning of love -- the greatest gift. In the first year of this program, we hope to deliver more than 250 baskets on Easter weekend to the most underserved children in Long Beach , hand-selected by the public health nurses at the City of Long Beach Health Department.
HOW TO PACK AN EASTER BASKET
1. First, decide whether your gift will be for a boy or girl and choose an age category: (2-4), (5-9), or (10-14). Attach a note to the handle of your Easter basket that says "BOY" or "GIRL" and the age category (i.e. BOY, age 5-9). NOTE: MOST NEEDED IS GIRLS, AGE 5-9.
2. Find a basket that you can use to create your Easter Basket.
3. Then, fill your basket with a variety of gifts:
Toys : small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, plastic kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc.
School supplies : pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc.
Hygiene items : toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, soap, comb, bubble bath, washcloth, etc.
More ideas : manufacturer's-packaged candy (i.e. no loose jelly beans), age-appropriate hard candy (i.e. not too small for a young child to choke on), lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights with extra batteries, ball caps, socks, T-shirts, slippers, toy jewelry sets, hair clips, watches, small picture books, gift certificates, books, etc.
WHERE DO I DROP OFF MY EASTER BASKET?
1. Holly's Hallmark, 5012 E. 2nd St. (between Granada and Argonne avenues), Belmont Shore , 562.434.5291
2. Bungalow Bay, 6457 E. PCH, (Marketplace Long Beach, between Claim Jumper and Calif. Pizza Kitchen), Long Beach, 562.596.1839