REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (July 29, 2026) — Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) will host its annual Beach Cities Volunteer Day on Wednesday, August 12, and invites local residents, businesses and organizations to participate in a Day of Service to help prepare elementary school gardens across Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach for the upcoming school year.
Volunteer Day supports BCHD’s LiveWell Kids program, which delivers nutrition education, farm-to-table lessons, and mindfulness practices to more than 5,000 students annually in partnership with local school districts and hundreds of parent volunteers.
The Volunteer Day event begins at 8:30 a.m. with check-in and instructions at Dominguez Park in Redondo Beach, followed by volunteer service at assigned school garden sites from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
“This day of volunteering is a great way for our entire community to make a difference and help create a healthy future for our children,” said BCHD CEO Tom Bakaly. “The support we receive for LiveWell Kids and events like Volunteer Day is inspiring and essential to the program’s continued success. Volunteer Day offers an opportunity to make an impact and serve young people in our community.”
The LiveWell Kids program was established in 2007 in response to high childhood obesity rates in the Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD). Since its inception, there has been a dramatic decline in student obesity in the RBUSD—from 20 percent in 2007 to just 5 percent in 2023, a 75% decrease. This compares favorably to the national student obesity rate, which in 2024 was 16 percent, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health*.
Garden beds are maintained year-round by BCHD’s “Garden Angel” volunteers and serve as living classrooms for teaching students about healthy eating, physical activity, and mindfulness.
How to Get Involved:
- Volunteer: Help prepare elementary school gardens for fall lessons in nutrition and wellness. More information is available at www.bchd.org/volunteer.
- Sponsor: Area businesses and residents can support the growth of the LiveWell Kids program and promote wellness in your organization. To learn more, contact Cristan Mueller, BCHD’s Chief Health Operations & Communications Officer, at cristan.mueller@bchd.org.
Event Details:
What: Beach Cities Volunteer Day
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
When: Check-in: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Dominguez Park, 200 Flagler Lane, Redondo Beach, CA
Service Time: 9:30–11:30 a.m. at school sites
For more information, visit www.bchd.org/volunteer/volunteer-day or contact Alejandra Sierra, Volunteer Engagement Supervisor, at (310) 374-3426 x8160.
*Source: https://www.childhealthdata.org/browse/survey/results?q=12282&r=1
