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Better Balance for Long Beach Brings Better Christmas To Multiple Families With Award Winning "One Day Christmas Store -- Shopping With Dignity"


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(Dec. 20, 2014, 5:15 p.m., updared Dec. 23) -- LB City Prosecutor Doug Haubert volunteered and wore a Christmas Elf's hat. NLB community advocate Dan Pressburg volunteered and donned a Santa Claus suit.

And it took roughly 200 community volunteers (each identifiable wearing an "elf" hat) to escort roughly 245 deserving families (each with multiple familymembers) through rooms filled with Christmas gifts at LB's Convention Center for this year's 8th annual (and national award winning) "One Day Christmas Store -- Shopping with Dignity."

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The uplifting event creates a dignified, free shopping experience for families who might not otherwise have gifts for Christmas.


Volunteer shoppers leveraged donated dollars to purchase stacks of new gifts at wholesale cost (enabling multiples of every gift from which to choose, just like a real store.) This year, 245 families were invited to shop...with familymembers choosing gifts for other familymembers at no charge (with children choosing gifts for their parents.)

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Children chose brand new books for themselves -- provided by the Molina Foundation;




Volunteers staffed wrapping stations to provide the gift wrapping and ribbons.



Dan Pressburg (Santa below) was kept busy. Event coordinator Jack Smith (in photo at upper left below) was focused on juggling multiple ongoing events, circulating to ensure everything ran smoothely.


Yellow Cab donated its services to enable families (many of whom don't have personal transportation) carrying stacks of Christmas packages to get home easily and safely.


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Veteran NLB community advocate and experienced insurance agent Christopher Hicks was a volunteer elf.


BBLB co-founder Annie Greenfeld Wisner and Mr. Pressburg's grandson, Dominic.


Also visible (with elm's hat, helping shoppers in line) was veteran LB activist Gary Shelton.

Also likewise attending was LB City Clerk Larry Herrera-Cabrera with grandchildren Cruz, Paloma and Cortez.

The event is a major logistical undertaking requiring planning, donated dollars, team work and countless volunteer hours. BBLB event coordinator Jack Smith (photo below) called the event "festive, fun and heartwarming day for all the donors, volunteers and families. We all look forward to this event every year."


Even Santa Claus needs a break once in a while.




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