TIS THE SEASON TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE

Nothing can change the fact there are families in our community that need our help. For last 10 years, Rotarian volunteers for the Angel City Celebration showed up in the dark and worked nonstop with commitment, drive and determination. They shared the holiday spirit of giving and kindness. These were special “Rotary Cares” moments you can’t forget.

Smiling faces are the most important product of the Angel City Celebration, from the big smiles of the 3,000 elementary school children who received the toys they never hoped to have to the relieved smiles of the parents who could not otherwise provide gifts to their children this holiday season and the proud smiles on the 500 volunteer faces for the help they gave to our neighbors in need in South Los Angeles.

Because of the many needs in the community, the Angel City Planning Committee decided to resume the event after Covid break. Working with LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell of 2nd district, LA County Parks and Recreation, community groups, local churches, and Rotary clubs, we are planning another big event to showcase “Help Neighbors in Need”. The Celebration is set for Saturday, December 4, at Erwin “Magic” Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles. The time is 7:00am to 3:30pm. We will have coffee and pastries in the morning ready for you and light lunch later.

Angel City is a special event designed to help 3,000 children in South LA to have something special for the holidays. South Los Angeles has been identified as having one of the highest rates of poverty and frequent gang activity. Residents struggle to pay their rent and provide essentials to their children. Again, LA County Parks and Rotarian are determined to make this event more joyful. We plan a variety of entertainments and activities for the young children and their parents. For this event we need at least 250 volunteers. 

There are many volunteering opportunities for the Celebration. Volunteers will stage the event, organize donated items and be a personal toy shopper. Using the oldest delivery system, they will form a human chain to transport the items to the staged area one box at time. Volunteers will give away toys, books, clothing or whatever the items we can gather, man the booths, monitor the line and provide security, among other special event tasks. 

Let’s join our fellow Rotarians and to reach the goals for this special “Help neighbors in Need” project. We encourage all volunteers to come with family, friends, colleagues. Let us show the world "We Care" and do all we can to help our neighbors in need in South Central this holiday season.

Please RSVP, here is the link to Angel City Volunteer RSVP. Please note that each volunteer needs to register individually. If you have any questions, you can reach me by my email at [email protected] or 213-399-3215. Please include your name(s), email address and your club association in the email message and I will respond as soon as possible, the earlier the better.

Marjorie Heller