I say please and thank you. Or more appropriately, thank you and please.<\/p>\n
I thank all of you who have donated to the 22nd annual Gazette Gift Card Drive to help domestic abuse victims being served by WomenShelter of Long Beach. As of Tuesday, Dec. 16, we\u2019ve collected about $25,000\u00a0in gift cards and donations.<\/p>\n
But please, please consider a last-minute donation before the drive shuts down this Sunday, Dec. 21.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not asking for myself \u2013 although a higher donation total won\u2019t hurt my feelings. I\u2019m asking for some of Long Beach\u2019s own going through a very tough time in their lives when we should all be full of hope and joy.<\/p>\n
I fret over the adults, who face the unknown of a new life after escaping from the bitterness of abuse \u2013 physical, verbal, even financial. How will they start over? Where will the resources for a little Christmas spirit come from?<\/p>\n
But I really worry about the kids \u2013 ripped from what likely is the only home they\u2019ve known, even though they may have been abused themselves. Studies show many think that this separation is somehow their fault, even though that is the farthest thing from the truth.<\/p>\n
How is Santa going to be able to make a difference?<\/p>\n
That\u2019s where all you Santas come in. WomenShelter\u2019s dedicated staff takes the gift cards you donate and spreads them around to their clients. Parents who don\u2019t have enough money to buy even a single small present for their child get the resources they need to bring a smile to their young one.<\/p>\n
Even better, the ability to make that purchase themselves helps mend their damaged self-esteem. It starts the journey towards independence. That\u2019s quite a gift.<\/p>\n
These gift cards and donations are the gift that keeps on giving, too. That\u2019s another reason why I want to urge you to be generous \u2013 WomenShelter continues to use gift cards all year round to help clients with purchases to complete a new apartment, or to get enough groceries to last until the next paycheck.<\/p>\n
You know I\u2019m telling it like it is \u2013 we\u2019ve been helping WomenShelter and the people they help for a long time. I\u2019ve personally watched as the nonprofit organization has expanded its services to include education, counseling, legal aid, and more in addition to their 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter.<\/p>\n
Yet as hard as they work, the need remains. It might even be worse this year, thanks to the specter of ICE in the immigrant community.<\/p>\n
We can go into the barriers to ending, or at least reducing, domestic abuse another time. Right now, we need to deal with today.<\/p>\n
In a great partnership, the Long Beach Press Telegram began helping with the Gift Card Drive three years ago. Added to the gentle readers of the Grunion, it is a great audience of giving folks.<\/p>\n
So I know I can count on you all.<\/p>\n
We will keep the drawing for the table for 10 at the Long Beach Symphony POPS concert March 21, 2026, called Sounds of Laurel Canyon: 60s & 70s Rock Legends, courtesy of the Long Beach Symphony, open until Dec. 21 for everyone who donates $50 or more.<\/p>\n
The best gift cards are from those \u201ceverything\u201d stores like Walmart and Target. But we\u2019re not picky \u2013 anything is truly appreciated.<\/p>\n
You can drop gift cards or checks off at the WomenShelter\u2019s Resource Center, 4201 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 102, or at drop boxes in stores around the city. You can also donate by mail to Grunion Gift Card Drive, P.O. Box 17098, Long Beach, CA 90807.<\/p>\n
You can also take donations to our drop-off boxes at these local businesses:<\/p>\n
\u2014 Belmont Shore Optometric, 5219 E. Second St.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Dainty Disco, 3972 Atlantic Ave.<\/p>\n
\u2014 LB Swag, 5304 E. Second St.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Frosted Cupcakery, 4817 E. Second St.<\/p>\n
Checks should be made out to WomenShelter Long Beach with Gift Card Drive on the memo line.<\/p>\n