by Noella Noelophile®
Justin Rudd’s nonprofit Community Action Team needs: more Easter grass, coloring books, and art supplies.
Most of all, though, they need lots of willing hands, today and tomorrow.
“Operation Easter Basket” begins this morning at 9:00, at Bay Shore Church, in Long Beach. The goal: more than 2,200 completed Easter baskets for disadvantaged youth. Local agencies receiving baskets for distribution will include: New Image Emergency Shelter, Operation Jump Start and Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach.
When we ran by Bay Shore Church, just after 1:00 on Wednesday afternoon, about fourteen completed Easter baskets stood on one table. 
But, according to Operation Easter Basket’s Facebook page, that number has been steadily growing, with deliveries throughout Wednesday afternoon.
Last year, “Operation Easter Basket” far surpassed its goal of 1,700 baskets for distribution. By the end of the second day, volunteers had provided 2,200 baskets!
In addition to the completed baskets community groups and volunteers are delivering, a number of additional baskets will get assembled onsite, today and tomorrow.
“I have all the supplies here,” commented Justin as he carried boxes of crayons and Easter candy into the church hall. “Now we need people to put (baskets) together.”
Operation Easter Basket expects about sixty volunteers, today and tomorrow, to assemble the baskets. Each basket, worth about $25, will include: small toys, school supplies, personal-hygiene items, and, of course, candy. Everyone is welcome to help; if you have time, stop by Bay Shore Church and they will put you to work–and into the spirit of Easter. And if you’d like to help by donating, you might consider bringing some of the items on this “wish list“, as well.
In addition to the usual fun, festivity and spirit of giving, this eleventh annual “Operation Easter Basket” is special for another reason. This will be the Reverend Dr. David Clark’s first Easter as senior minister of Bay Shore Church. Reverend Clark, who “transplanted” from Iowa to begin his ministry here last December. hasn’t yet seen “Operation Easter Basket” in action.
Welcome, Reverend Clark–and Happy first Easter in Long Beach! Hope “Operation Easter Basket” is an inspiring start to your Easter weekend.
“Operation Easter Basket” starts this morning, Thursday, April 2, at 9 at Bay Shore Church, 5100 The Toledo at Granada in Belmont Shore. Volunteers are welcome (please try to donate at least two hours) as are contributions of Easter grass and any of the other items mentioned on the wish list. “Operation Easter Basket” hours are from 9 am to 6 pm today, and 9 am to 4 pm tomorrow, Friday, April 3. Happy Easter, everyone!