Nonprofit Seeks Toys for Giveaway

For the past six years the organization Wrap The Kids has put on a toy giveaway in North Long Beach with a special visit from Santa Claus.

Wrap The Kids is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit where homeless volunteers help other homeless and less fortunate by making blankets to “wrap the kids” and others in. The charity, led by founder and CEO Susanna Twaite, gives out hygiene kits, snacks, clothing, resource information and helps out in any way it can.

It recently partnered with the Red String Foundation.

In past years the “Wrap The Kids Bringing the North Pole to Northtown” event took place on a vacant lot decked out in Christmas décor where children and parents could congregate.

However, this season will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Twaite said.

The upcoming Saturday, Dec. 19 celebration will take place in the parking lot of the establishment’s 297 E. Artesia Blvd. storefront starting at 10 a.m.

Twaite said the property owner gave the okay to decorate the parking lot for next month’s festivity.

”We’ve got major decorations,” Twaite said.

This time parents can drive slowly through the “North Pole” and their masked children can get out one at a time, pick out a toy and pose for a picture with St. Nick, Twaite said. They can stand six feet in front of Santa if desired.

“They won’t be sitting in his lap like they used to,” Twaite said. “Even Santa’s going to have a mask on and all our workers and helpers will have masks on.”

Twaite said hand sanitizer will be provided as well as disposable masks for those who do not have face coverings.

“Everybody is invited, not just the homeless and less fortunate,” Twaite said. “We’re not going to turn away any child.”

To donate new, unwrapped toys, Wrap The Kids can be contacted through email address wrapthekids@gmail.com, by calling 562-358-0059, or by dropping off items at the Artesia Boulevard storefront.

The website is wrapthekids.org.

kirt@beachcomber.news