by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by tookapic from Pixabay.)
In the center of the basket sat a giant chocolate rabbit.
He was surrounded by marshmallow chickens, smaller chocolate eggs and rainbow-shaded jelly beans. Purple grass and a huge yellow bow, on the basket’s handle, celebrated the colors of Spring.
If that memory of a past Easter morning is making you smile (as I am right now), please consider helping nonprofit Community Action Team bring that joy to other children for Easter, 2026, with “Operation Easter Basket“.
Justin Rudd at Operation Easter Basket assembly in 2019.
The details
On Sunday, March 29th, community activist Justin Rudd and his team will host a one-day basket assembly event, in the Fellowship Hall of Bay Shore Church in Long Beach.
Volunteers may sign up for two-hour shifts (or longer; before this COVID mess struck, I had a lot of fun staying throughout the day!) and there are three time periods available:11 am to 1 pm; noon to 2 pm; and 1 to 3 pm. Here’s the link to register.
If you haven’t done this before, expect an assembly-line procedure with the community, a lot of fun and goodwill, and an overall feeling of welcoming Spring.
(Operation Easter Basket, 2018.)
As well as a “basket brigade” rush to help local nonprofits, when they come to pick up donated baskets, load them into their vehicles for distribution to the youth they serve.
(Operation Easter Basket, 2018.)
Oh, yes–and some loud cheers and applause when the goal number of baskets is reached!
(Operation Easter Basket, 2018.)
This year’s goal
The 2026 goal for Operation Easter Basket, according to Justin’s webpage, is 2,400 gender-neutral baskets, for kids ages 4 through 12.
But if you’d like to help, you don’t have to wait until March 29th.
The best way to help (and you can do so even if you’re not local!) is to donate online. Here’s the link for more information.
(Operation Easter Basket, 2019.)
Additional ways to help
In the Long Beach area, and like to be part of the effort? You have several options:
- Assemble and donate some baskets! Can you get four friends together and each assemble a basket, with a value of between $20 and $25, which you can deliver to the church’s Fellowship Hall, 5200 E. The Toledo, on Sunday, March 29, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.? And if you’re wondering what to put into the baskets: personal-hygiene products (body wash, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste); socks; school and art supplies; small toys (no toy guns or water sprayers, please!) and, of course, candy.
- Or, donate supplies. On the “wish list” for items to go in the baskets: full-size body wash, full-size shampoo, bags of individually-wrapped candy, boxes of granola bars, books for ages 4-12, full-size shampoo, 24-pack crayons, and boxes of full-size, popular candy bars.
- Or, serve on the Host Committee (there are no meetings involved!) by sharing information on your social media and getting friends, family, coworkers and teammates together to donate at least 20 completed baskets, or $500 in cash. Email Justin@JustinRudd.com if you can serve.
Happy Spring! And may it be filled with life, color and creativity for you and those you love.