by Noella Noelophile®
It’s almost “Operation Easter Basket” time again!
Maybe you grew up with whimsical stories about busy bunnies and bantam hens pulling carts full of Easter eggs, in time to make Easter special. But the real-life story, featuring Long Beach community activist Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team, is a lot more inspiring.
That’s because you can be a part of it, this Thursday and Friday, March 29th and 30th in Long Beach!
Every year, just before Easter, Justin and company assemble and donate Easter baskets for underprivileged youth in the Long Beach area. Last year, according to justinrudd.com,, “Operation Easter Basket” donated 2,950 essentials-filled baskets.
Ahead of Easter weekend, members of the community are asked to get groups of friends together to construct and donate baskets. Easter baskets contain school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes and personal-hygiene items, art supplies and, of course, Easter candy.
Each basket’s value is approximately $25, and they’re designed for all ages–newborn to sixteen years of age.
And starting this Thursday morning at 11, at Bay Shore Church, volunteers get together to assemble some additional baskets–and to help their recipients load up their trucks for delivery!
This Easter weekend marks the fourteenth “Operation Easter Basket”. You can sign up to volunteer, or drop off donations, either Thursday or Friday. Thursday volunteer hours are 11 am to 6 pm, while Friday’s are 9 am to 4:15 pm.
So, how does this work, if you’re a first-time “Operation Easter Basket” volunteer? Volunteer shifts are two hours long (but people usually like to stay longer!), and you’re asked to arrive at Belmont Shore’s Bayshore Church about five minutes prior to your shift. 
Then, you grab a basket…
…fill it with goodies for a boy or girl of a specified age…
… and wrap it in cellophane with a ribbon.
After a volunteer tabulates the basket (keeping count of how many are available in each category), it gets placed in the “completed” area.
Expect a quick briefing right after you arrive: Justin will specify what each basket needs to contain, so they all have approximately equal value. He’ll also ask to inspect your first one.
And expect to become part of the “basket brigade”, which is part of the fun, as nonprofits arrive to collect the baskets and donate them to their young recipients.
Lots of smiles, refreshments and a general spirit of fun and celebration are always part of Operation Easter Basket. You may be asked to alert friends on your social media if supplies run low (as they may; lots of enthusiastic volunteers often equals, “we’re out of toothpaste! Someone let people know on your social networks, if they can donate.”).
Now, what if you are having a super-busy Easter season and would like to support “Operation Easter Basket”, but just won’t have the time on Thursday or Friday? Community Action Team is accepting donations, either online or at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, 5100 The Toledo in Long Beach. Justin e-mails that deodorant and toothpaste are especially needed, as those tend to run out.
This year’s goal: 2,900 baskets. 
Past recipients have included the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Nickerson Gardens, Boys and Girls Clubs, and a host of other community organizations.
Here’s a link to a “wish list” of donations for Operation Easter Basket, 2018! Let’s do this1
Long Beach’s fourteenth annual “Operation Easter Basket” happens Thursday and Friday, March 29th and 30th, at Bay Shore Community Congregational Church, 5100 The Toledo in Long Beach. Thursday hours are 11 am to 6 pm, while Friday hours are 9 am to 4:15 pm. Here’s the link to sign up for volunteer shifts.
In addition, if you and friends would like to make some baskets and drop them off on Wednesday evening, March 27th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Bay Shore Church, they will be very much appreciated. Here are instructions for constructing the baskets. Thank you, and Happy Easter!