Today, Sept. 24, is the official date for Long Beach Gives 2026.

For you gentle readers who see this column in the Press-Telegram on Saturday, Sept. 26, I have good news. The one day has gradually expanded to more than one week, and it’s likely the Long Beach Gives online portal is still open today.

Long Beach Gives is a simple statement, and one I tout often. Our fair city, or rather the residents of our fair city, seems to me to be some of the most giving people on our planet. I’ve watched and written about how they give unselfishly of their time, talent and treasure over and over again.

When founder Julie Meenan brought the idea to the LBC in 2019, she found fertile ground. The concept is to bring all of the city’s nonprofits together on one dedicated website on one day and persuade the generous residents to open their wallets for a good cause – or two or three good causes.

There were around 200 nonprofits signed up to participate in 2019. If I read this year’s website correctly, you can choose from more than 300 good causes to donate to in 2026. That might be worth an exclamation point!

We’re talking about arts organizations, social service groups, youth athletics, animal welfare organizations, charter schools, health care, disease research, etc., etc. Most of us support specific organizations, but it’s fascinating to just scroll through all of the groups doing good things in our city. Go to www.longbeachgives.org.

Last year’s final total was more than $2.3 million collected, coming from 10,287 donors. According to the Long Beach Gives organization, a whopping $13 million has been donated through the citywide drive since it began.

That’s a giving city.

What makes that even more impressive is the fact almost all of these folks have to work all year long to raise enough money to do their work. And this is the season when many organizations host special events to help get that done.

The lovely Maria and I go to as many of these galas as we can. We want to show our support, and truth be told, mingling with other supporters at a fancy dinner can be fun. (I personally prefer a golf tournament, but that’s another story.)

Here’s a partial list of our events in September and October, not counting board meetings and such. This isn’t meant to be a brag – or a plea for mercy – but a way to give you some idea of what’s out there.

Long Beach City College Hall of Fame, Encore for International City Theatre, Precious Lamb Preschool Gala, LBCC Celebrates Beverly O’Neill, Museum of Latin American Art 30th Anniversary Gala, Long Beach Leadership Prayer Breakfast, A Few Good Men and Women Gala for Ronald McDonald House, Tea with Paul Williams for Christian Outreach Appeal, and a book talk for Rancho Los Alamitos. I’m sure Maria will point out the dates I’ve forgotten. But that’s a smattering of what’s on my calendar for the next month or so.

As I might have said before, I try to help by serving on the boards of a number of these nonprofits. We talk a lot about how to raise money without running up against donor fatigue.

In almost every case, the only answer is to explain how the organization is filling a need, and ask for support with respect and understanding. As nonprofit organizers, we need to remember that there are lots of other worthy groups out there looking for support too.

You, gentle reader and generous donor, need to know how thankful we are for your support. You are helping to make Long Beach a better place, and that’s something we want you to feel great about.

There are lots of people out there who love to complain about the problems our city faces, or about the Long Beach leadership and the decisions they make. I can only thank God for the many people who are more interested in what they can do to make a difference for the good – to help those in need of help.

That’s you. I thank you as Long Beach Gives.