Even though the holiday season is going to be different this year, there are still plenty of ways to get in the Christmas spirit by helping others in Long Beach.
The Long Beach Branch NAACP is collecting gift cards to help underprivileged, low-income children get gifts for Christmas. Mail cards to LB NAACP, P.O. Box 1594, Long Beach, CA 90801. The deadline is Dec. 11.
The American Red Cross is hosting more than a dozen blood donation events Dec. 11 through Jan. 4. The first one is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, at the Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St. Donate between Dec. 18 and Jan. 4 and receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last. For a complete list or to register go www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time.