PRESS RELEASE

Updated April 23, 2021:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will now accept new toys, in addition to new books, via the City’s donation drive that starts Saturday, April 24. The toys can be for children of all ages and must be unused in original packaging, and can be dropped off at the same locations as book donations. The below press release, originally published on April 21, reflects these updates.

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach, in partnership with the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), is launching a toy and book donation drive to support and comfort children arriving to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shelter at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The City has received overwhelming interest from the Long Beach community to support arriving migrant children, and donating toys and books for the children is a great way to get involved now to support this effort.

“Long Beach is known for being a welcoming community and the donations will truly enhance the children’s stay,” said Long Beach Public Library Director Glenda Williams. “Books are a great way to nourish one’s imagination and improve reading, a critical skill needed to lead a successful life.”

“The donations will undoubtedly be cherished by the children receiving them,” said President & CEO of Long Beach CVB Steve Goodling. “Huge thanks to our hotel partners for volunteering to host deposit locations in support of this worthwhile community effort.”

Leisure and educational toys can be for children of all ages and must be unused in original packaging. Leisure books, in English, Spanish, or English and Spanish, for children of all ages must be in new condition. Textbooks are not needed at this time. All donated toys and books will be provided to HHS for distribution to the children.

Starting Saturday, April 24, through May 8, community members and local organizations can drop off donated toys and books at several locations throughout Long Beach.

The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) will accept donated toys and books from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, at the following LBPL To-Go locations:

• Billie Jean King Main Library, 200 W. Broadway
• Bay Shore Library, 195 Bay Shore Ave.
• Bret Harte, 1595 W. Willow St.
• Los Altos, 5614 Britton Dr.
• Mark Twain, 1401 E. Anaheim St.
• Michelle Obama, 5870 Atlantic Ave.

Toy and book donations can also be made at the following area hotels from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily:

• Golden Sails Hotel, 6285 Pacific Coast Hwy.
• Hilton Long Beach, 701 W. Ocean Blvd.
• Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport, 2640 N. Lakewood Blvd.
• Long Beach Airport Marriott, 4700 Airport Plaza Dr.
• Westin Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd.

Toy and book donations can also be dropped off at the Terrace Theater, located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. This location will accommodate drive-through drop-off on Ocean Boulevard. 

In addition to toy and book donations, monetary donations are being accepted through the Migrant Children Support Fund, launched by the Long Beach Community Foundation. All donations are tax-deductible and are designated specifically to provide assistance and supportive resources related to the migrant children humanitarian effort in Long Beach. Donations can be made online, or by mailing a check to the Long Beach Community Foundation at 400 Oceangate, Suite 800, Long Beach, CA 90802. Check donations should include “Migrant Children Support Fund” on the check designation.

More opportunities to get involved will be announced in the future. For up-to-date information, visit the City’s online portal for details about ways to help support the children and register for volunteering. 

The Convention Center has ample space to accommodate up to 1,000 children. Children have begun arriving.

The HHS shelter will not impact COVID-19 vaccination clinic operations currently underway at the Convention Center. Costs for the operation and use of the facility are being provided by the federal government.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.