“It was wonderful, light and festive,” Johanna Sofield said of the Long Beach Christmas Angel’s annual fundraiser, which took place at the Bridgeview Yacht Club in Island Park on Friday, Dec. 3. “People were mingling, socializing, and working with volunteers.”
Sofield, president of the Long Beach Christmas Angel, a local non-profit charity that helps raise money for local families in financial crisis in the Long Beach school district, said the fundraiser drew an estimated 325 people.
In total, $70,100 was raised during the event. Sofield said that the fundraiser brought together many supporters in an effort to give back to the community.
“It’s an event where people come and give back,” said Sofield. “It pleases me to know that when people — from all different walks of life — walk through the door, we’re doing the right thing.”
Sofield said that there was a large raffle table with various prizes, all of which were donated by local businesses and residents. Prizes included an iPad, a 32-inch flat screen TV, and trips to Barbados, Mexico, and Bermuda. There was also a Chinese auction and a $10,000 grand prize raffle.
Jack Radin, committee member for the Christmas Angel, said the 15 student volunteers from the national and junior national honor societies and the Long Beach High School jazz band, which performed during cocktail hour, impressed him.
“It was a great time,” Radin said. “There was a great mix of generations. There were so many great kids from the middle school and high school who helped at the event. Everything they’re doing is going to help local families that are struggling right now.”
The Christmas Angel has been recognized as a 501 CS organization since 2003, and has donated more than $450,000 to dozens of local families in need.
The organization works with social workers from the school district and provides assistance by paying rents, utility bills, taxes, mortgages and tuition bills, in addition to supplying basic needs such as food, medical supplies, mattresses and new clothing for selected families.
Sofield said that the organization continues to receive many letters from families thanking the charity for its assistance, and that “it’s all about helping those in need.”
“We have always had enough to help these families,” said Sofield. “For us, at any given moment, anyone with any economic background can suffer a tragic loss. What we do is show others that through compassion and generosity, we can help our neighbors through a difficult time.”
