By Dianne Anderson

Santa and all his local NCNW helpers are pulling off another memorable festive Christmas, bringing some extra sparkle to the lives of local kids.

The organization is set to get hundreds of toys out to the community. At the same time, no shopper who wants to bring an unwrapped toy to give back to kids in need will be turned away.

Denise Hayes feels that it will be a demanding year.

“Especially when you have a kid that wants a toy. How do you tell your baby I don’t have, and I can’t get you that? That’s a heartbreaker,” said Hayes, now in her 20th year of chairing the Long Beach chapter National Council of Negro Women Christmas Food and Toy Drive.

Since COVID, their NCNW drive through has been pulling big crowds in getting toys out to the kids and food gift cards for their parents. All they have to do is drive through and pop the hood for the gift bags.

“Our toys are from the Long Beach Spark of Love, and we put in our form for that. Our supporters are so beautiful and wonderful,” she said. “We’re going to do the very best we can with what we’ve got. I’m going to be grateful to bless as many families as we can.”

Last year, the local NCNW alone served 106 families and 375 children. This year, the organization is looking to meet the needs of 125 families, and reach 500 children with toys.

Other collaborations include Angel Tree, along with the generosity of helpful nonprofits and individuals who care to give of their time, resources and volunteer. It is first come first serve, but she said parents in need of a toy can contact her directly.

This year, NCNW members are also volunteering so the homeless are not forgotten. They are working with the GP Care Package group, a nonprofit started by one of their NCNW members, Eloise Parker.

Essential gifts will be distributed to the homeless under the bridge and in several locations in the city.

In the past, Hayes said that NCNW was providing food baskets at Christmas with all the trimmings, but their nonprofit doesn’t have the storage space like in the old days. Instead, they are giving grocery gift cards. She said they also helped get food out during Thanksgiving.

“It’s been a very busy month for us, but it’s going to be nice. I just want it to be spectacular. I just want to bless as many families as I can, and I don’t leave any family out,” she said.

Gifts will be available for newborns to 18 years old. She said a lot of families are hurting right now.

“We’re doing the very best we can, if I had a magic wand I’d wave it all over the U.S. Kids will be kids and kids, and at Christmas when kids see a nice little toy on TV, they want it. We’re so grateful for the toys we get,” she said.

She meets men and women who are homeless and living in cars, but even as people are struggling every month, she said the holidays are the hardest.

And it’s cold outside.

“They are there on the sidewalk, it’s cold at night, don’t believe the hype, it’s cold,” she said.

Eloise Parker, a newer member of the local NCNW, is now in her 9th year of hosting her homeless giveaway event through her nonprofit of GP (God’s People) Care Packages and Blankets of Love.

On Saturday, December 9, they are hosting their 9th Annual Care Package and Blanket Giveaway at 14th Street Park, where she also expects to serve about 500 people.

“This year we’re going to be able to bless people with shoes again, tents, blankets, gift cards and other hygiene items,” she said, adding that last year, she reached over 350 homeless.

While it’s hard to predict how many will show up, they will walk away with many essential items as long as supplies last.

“Whatever we have left over the next couple days or weeks when we are out and about we pass out packages there, as well in different encampments where we know there is a frequent homeless or unhoused,” she said.

This year they have several jackets to give away, and have been blessed that so many organizations have given items and are volunteering for the day.

“It’s a necessity as far as keeping people warm, a lot of people unfortunately don’t have anywhere to go. They need something that is going to keep them from getting sick,” she said.

To support GP Care Packages and Blankets of Love, see https://gpcarepackages.org/

or https://www.gofundme.com/f/vuevs-gp-xmas-care-packages-amp-blankets-of-love

On Saturday, December 16, Love in the Mirror hosts its 11th Annual Toy Giveaway for ages 2 through 16 years, to be held from 12-3:00 p.m. at Long Beach City College, LAC Campus at 4901 E. Carson Street. They are calling for unwrapped toy donations until December 13. For more information, see www.loveinthemirror.org/toys, call 562-433-5100 or email at info@loveinthemirror.org

Also on Saturday, December 16, Pools of Hope is hosting its free toys and grocery giveaway at California Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Center, Inc., 6801 Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is first come, first serve. Children must be present, and they are asking that people call to RSVP.

For more information on the Pools of Hope event, see https://bit.ly/47Fmflk or call (310) 537 -2224