UPDATE: The Let’s Play Ball Drive campaign is within striking distance of its goal to provide 2,500 new sports balls for kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach. With just 11 days left until the December 28 deadline, community support is urgently needed to match a generous $10,000 donation from an anonymous “angel donor.”
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, expressed optimism about reaching the campaign’s target. “We’re very close to reaching our goal and unlocking the magic gift from our angel donor,” Rodriguez stated. The matching donation means that if the community raises another $10,000, it will double to a total of $20,000 for the campaign.
As of now, the campaign has successfully collected 2,047 balls in Long Beach and over 1,500 balls in the Daily Breeze area. The annual campaign, sponsored by the Press-Telegram, Daily Breeze, and their sister publications, aims to provide a total of 5,000 balls to both the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach and the LA Harbor.
“Every donation helps our kids and makes a real difference in their day,” Rodriguez said. The sports balls, which include basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls, are essential for promoting teamwork and keeping children engaged in healthy activities, he added.
To boost donations, several Big 5 Sporting Goods locations in Long Beach and the South Bay are offering a 25% discount on regularly priced sports balls purchased for donation (excluding golf and tennis balls). This discount is a great incentive to encourage last-minute contributions.
There are two convenient ways for individuals to donate:
1. Drop off new sports balls at designated locations.
2. Contribute online using a credit card.
Here are some of the drop-off locations in Long Beach:
– Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach’s main office at 3635 Long Beach Blvd., open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
– Big 5 Sporting Goods at 4780 Pacific Coast Highway and 5247 Lakewood Blvd..
– Phil Trani’s Restaurant at 3490 Long Beach Blvd..
– First Bank locations including 4040 Atlantic Ave. and 6200 E. Pacific Coast Highway.
In addition, donors can support the campaign by purchasing items from the Long Beach clubs’ Amazon wish list at bgclublb.org/Joy.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of community involvement during this holiday season, stating, “We thank everyone in advance for making a difference in the lives of so many kids.”
As time runs out, the urgency to contribute is palpable. The matching donation opportunity means every dollar counts even more, making now the perfect time to act. Join the effort to uplift the youth of Long Beach by donating today!
