Volunteer
Holiday Gift Bags Project

Spread Cheer This Year

The holidays can be a difficult and lonely time for isolated older adults and adults with disabilities in our community. However, each holiday season since 1998, friendly volunteers have delivered gift bags filled with practical and fun gifts to 250 beach cities seniors and adults with disabilities in the Beach Cities Health District Care Management program. This year we hope to provide bags with essentials along with support in the form of grocery gift cards.

What People are Saying About Holiday Gift Bags

  • "Oh let me tell you what happened yesterday! 3 handsome men from the Fire Department visited me and they said that they have presents for me. I burst out crying in front of them because it was so touching. I called my family back East and told how much it meant to me. Thank you very much for thinking of me and doing all the wonderful things in our community." -Bridget, Manhattan Beach

  • “This is one senior here who really appreciates all that you do for seniors. Your organization goes the extra mile.” -Nathan C., Client

  • “The holidays should be a joyous time. BCHD gives the MBPD the opportunity to spread smiles and cheers to seniors in Manhattan Beach.” -Officer Colombo & Karen Hill, Volunteer MBPD Volunteer

Ways to Give

1. Deliver a Gift Bag.

Individuals, families and groups are invited to volunteer to deliver holiday gift bags to an older adult in the Beach Cities this December. The visits help provide clients with joy, companionship and comfort during the holiday season.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

2. Donate.

  • Please consider making a donation so we may provide our recipients with grocery gift cards as well as practical and fun items.
  • Donate $100 or more by December 1st and you or your organization will be acknowledged on our website, in a local newspaper, and in a letter that goes to all gift bag recipients.
  • We are still in the process of sourcing a larger item for the gift bags. Businesses interested in making an in-kind donation (or at-cost pricing) in the quantity of 260 which may be appreciated by our clients, please contact Alejandra Sierra in Volunteer Services at (310) 374-3426, ext. 8160 to discuss further.

  • YES! I’d like to bring cheer to an older adult or adult with disabilities in the Beach Cities this year by sponsoring the following:

    Quantity

     

    For other contribution, please click below donate button:

     

     

    Donate via Check Payment:
    Make check payable to “Beach Cities Health District“. Download form and submit completed form along with check to:

    Beach Cities Health District
    Attn: Holiday Gift Bags
    1200 Del Amo Street
    ​Redondo Beach, CA 90277

3. Decorate a Holiday Card

Help bring joy to one of our senior clients by decorating a holiday card that will be included in our holiday gift bags

Please see below:

  1. Select one or multiple of the cards here. Print on 8.5x11in paper and fold in half.
  2. Decorate the outside of the card. Use colored pencils, markers, glitter, etc. (get creative)!
  3. Write a nice, warm message on the inside of the card. Please refrain from writing about politics and religion. Below are examples that can be used:
    • “May your Holidays be filled with sweet and valuable things.”
    • “Wishing you a happy and lovable Holiday season!”
    • “Have a cheerful Holiday!”
  4. Don’t forget to sign the card! You can use just a first name, and if you have children assisting it may be nice to include their age as well (e.g., From Christine, Age 5)
  5. Include an envelope (if available). You may enclose each card in a greeting card envelope which can also be decorated, however, please do not seal the envelope as all cards will be reviewed prior to being placed in the holiday bags.  BCHD will provide envelopes to cards that aren’t enclosed in an envelope.
  6. Return cards to Volunteer Services by Monday, December 2, 2024. This can be done via mail or at our drop off location:

Mail: Beach Cities Health District
Attn: Alejandra Sierra
1200 Del Amo St
Redondo Beach, CA 90277

If mailing please mail a few days prior to 12/02 to ensure we receive the cards in time.

Drop Off:  1200 Del Amo St. Redondo Beach, CA, 90277
Please drop off at our front desk, Attn: Alejandra Sierra (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)

For questions, please contact Alejandra Sierra, Volunteer Engagement Supervisor, at 310-374-3426, ext. 8160 or Alejandra.Sierra@bchd.org.

Thank You to Our 2023 Donors

Thank you for helping spread cheer through the Beach Cities Health District’s Holiday Gift Bag program. We would like to thank our donors, those who decorated a card for the bags, and our essential service volunteers and first responders who delivered the bags to older and disabled adults in the Beach Cities this holiday season.
 
The Holiday Gift Bag Program is made possible by generous donors including:

Special thanks to our volunteers
Individual community members and families 
allcove Youth Advisory Group
American Martyrs 
BCHD Board of Directors 
BCHD Youth Advisory Council
BCHD Volunteers
Birney Elementary School
Boy Scout Troops 
Girl Scout Troops 
Hermosa Beach Rotary Club
Hermosa Hermanos
Manhattan Beach First Responders
Mira Costa Key Club 
National Charity League - South Bay
Redondo Beach First Responders 
Redondo Union High School Boys Soccer Team