Long Beach
By Nicolassa Galvez
A “compassionate city” is how Mayor Robert Garcia recently described Long Beach. I’d like to echo his comment and also agree that Long Beach is very diverse, inclusive, progressive and generous.
I’d particularly like to focus on generosity and our nonprofit sector, which is really at the root of why neighbors connect to their neighbors, in distinct neighborhoods and in turn, care about their community. For so many of us, compassion and caring are what provides the connection to community.
Nonprofits make our community a more vibrant and inclusive place to live, work and play. This week, more than 200 nonprofits have come together to raise $2 million for the important work they do, like distributing food to hungry families, offering arts and culture experiences, tutoring kids after school, improving the environment and providing resources for individuals in crisis.
Nonprofit organizations have come together for this annual online giving event to promote their good work across the greater Long Beach area. Long Beach Gives (www.longbeachgives.org) aims to connect baby boomers, millennials, Gen. X and Y to a cause they care about by bringing attention to the work and worth of the nonprofit sector. This giving day provides an opportunity to mobilize everyone in our community from nonprofits and donors to matching funders, media partners and sponsors, to give, share and comment — everyone can help by donating and spreading the word.
Last year, more than 7,000 generous people donated through Long Beach Gives to support and connect with these nonprofits. Whether they donated to organizations that care for seniors, families, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals or our four-legged friends, their generosity added up to more than $1.7 million.
Since the inaugural campaign in 2019, more than $2.5 million has been invested in these impact-driven, community-based organizations. In fact, 1,197 individuals signed up to raise funds via their social network for an organization doing important work. Each of these acts of kindness helped to change a life, provide hope and sustain a community resource.
I have witnessed first hand how dedicated staff and volunteers have continued to work tirelessly to offer their services during very trying times, having to adapt to COVID restrictions, constantly changing safety protocols and decreasing income streams. These staff members, donors, board members and community activists are the same individuals who are reaching out, both digitally and in print, asking for your donations to support their great work.
They do this because they are committed to helping and improving lives and communities, certainly not for personal gain. This sector is filled with selfless and caring people who would appreciate your support on their personal fundraising pages or on the nonprofit’s profile page. There is a great search filter on the Long Beach Gives website. It is searchable by an organization’s size, category, zip code and council district in order for you to find an organization aligned with your own passions.
Let’s show our love for this fantastic city and for the caring and compassionate individuals who make up our nonprofit sector. Visit www.longbeachgives.org, and find a cause or nonprofit you believe in. Together, we can make a difference by showing our generosity for the outstanding work of the participating nonprofits. So do not delay. Donate now and until the campaign ends at midnight on Sept 23. We can do this, Long Beach!
Nicolassa Galvez is the campaign director at Long Beach Gives.
"caring" - Google News
September 24, 2021 at 08:03PM
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Another View: A caring and compassionate community - Long Beach Press Telegram
"caring" - Google News
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