Working Families Helped Through Trying Times
Christmas Angel assists locals with everything from computers to mortgage payments.
Photos
"I'm a working mother who, due to the economy and court problems with child support, got stuck,” said a beneficiary of the Long Beach Christmas Angel.
Her identity will remain anonymous, in keeping with the local charitable organization’s policy toward the working families it aims to assist during trying times.
“They helped me and my children stay in my home and meet my mortgage,” she continued. “I'll never forget them for that, and I know one day I will repay them."
Long Beach residents Johanna and Greg Sofield wanted to help working families in these and similar circumstances when they founded the non-profit Christmas Angel more than a decade ago. The organization, which they handed over to their children, will help people find computers and furniture, obtain a driver’s license, and pay their mortgage, rent and medical bills. As the backbone of this mission, the Christmas Angel prides itself on keeping recipients anonymous.
"In order to continue to focus on working families experiencing a financial hardship, we provide anonymity so future recipients can feel confident that we respect their privacy," Johanna said. "Because very often working families are uncomfortable and hesitant to accept assistance.”
The Christmas Angel holds an annual fundraiser at the Bridgeview Yacht Club each December, when most of their income is generated through ticket sales and donations that helps spread their assistance throughout the year.
"Right now they're putting me through driving school,” another woman said. “In two to three weeks I will have my license, which will get me a raise in my job and help push me into the union.
"People don't understand how much something simple like this means for people who can't afford it,” she added.
Although the Christmas Angel collaborates with social workers at the Long Beach School District and other agencies to find families seeking assistance, many recipients are discovered through word of mouth. One such person is a successful mother with two children who went into the hospital for a minor procedure last May but wasn't discharged until four months later.
"The Christmas Angel reached out to me after friends told the Sofields of my situation,” she said. “Before they arrived I had never heard of them.”
Once she was back on her feet, though, she became an active supporter of the organization.
“[I] … think it's good for people to know that the fundraiser event isn't just an evening of fun for the elite,” she said. “It's open to everyone in the community, and is another way that Long Beach helps Long Beach."
* The 10th annual Christmas Angel Holiday Fundraiser will be held at Bridgeview Yacht Club at 8 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets are $100 per person.
laocoon
5:13 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Nothing like angels who seek out publicity!
Patti Buscemi- Sacks
6:14 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Seriously, can you give it a rest already. It's the holiday season, why do you have to make something of this too!! Come on!!!
Lucy Centeno
2:28 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Give it a rest already! If people on here can scratch the eyes out of others for complaining about the bad things, why can't they acknowledge the good as well? I, for one, find this a refreshing story and appreciate all the good this organization does. And now that it has been passed down to the kids, a new generation can continue helping those in need and not be part of the "hands out" crew. Giving back and helping others is what a COMMUNITY is suppose to do. Thank You Christmas Angels.
Barry Gold
11:59 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
Sofield family are the most phony superficial selfish family on the barrier island!! Seriously, enough of this family and their self publicity and power mongering ways. Does anyone really care what they do anymore.
Margaret
12:06 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Barry- really? What about this makes them selfish? They have put together an event which gives back to this whole community. Who else do you know in this town that gives back as much as the Christmas Angel does? Maybe before you comment, you should think: "What have I done lately to give as much as they have? If putting together this charity that helps struggling people in our community is considered selfish then please, explain how you are so much less selfish and tell us how you have helped this community as much as Christmas Angel has, which the Sofields put together.
Jason
6:57 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Publicity is how you get interest in an event so you can raise money for families in need. It's not for selfish reasons. Got it Barry Gordon
tired
7:55 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
I disagree with how the Sofields have run city hall.. doesn't mean they are bad people. I'm sure Tommy is a great guy outside of politics.
Margaret
8:00 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
LBLifer- great point... and on top of it-- Tommy is not the Sofield who started Christmas Angel- It's his brother and his wife. And to top it off, now its his brother's two high school children who do it. How many of us can say that we have, are related to, or even have ever known high school kids who have taken on such a feat to do something of this magnitude to help Long Beach. You may not agree with the politician but you can't argue here that these people aren't giving back to the community in a HUGE way
sportmom
11:12 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Well said Margaret...Maybe if Iacoon and Barry Gold would like to reach into their pockets and come to the event they will see how true Long Beachers give back to the less fortunate in our city. Would love to see you there instead of sitting behind computers bashing the wonderful charity that so unselfishly was started by the Sofields. You would be surprised to see Republican Democrats Independents Catholic Jews Protestants all together laughing and dancing because its about giving back NOT what side you are on or whether you believe it someone politics values or way of life....GIVE BACK AND COME SEE WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT ALL ARE WELCOME
awesome
12:25 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How about grandpa Sofield redeem himself slightly and donate his whole parachute to the Christmas Angel?
Rich Tagliagambe
3:07 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Where can i purchase tickets to attend the charitable event your hosting Mr. Gold? You really shouldnt knock a good cause when its apparent you dont have a good cause yourself...
Barry Gold
3:51 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
you that guy dumped by that real estate chick that was with that drug overdosed dude not long ago? real cute!
MeAgain
6:16 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Have to hear more about this one Barry
MeAgain
9:35 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Rich, please tell us about the incident with the real estate chick and the drug overdose dude
Margaret
10:04 pm on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Touché Rich!
CP
9:16 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Barry, to answer your question! Yes, I do! I care! I care that this family has raised over $450,000 and has helped tons of families that are in need in OUR community. What I do not care about, is how much Mr. Sofield will retire with, or if people dislike Tommy Sofield because he has nothing to do with the charity or if the Sofield are the, and I quote you "phony superficial selfish family on the barrier island". What I do care about is this charity and what it does for our community.
Barry Gold
3:51 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
just a big fish in a small pond with the family name giving them so called legitimacy. Probably a tax write off somewhere which gives them reason for this stunt.
Margaret
5:22 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Barry, what have you done lately to help our community?
Barry Gold
6:09 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
what have you done to help the community? I don't encourage the nepotism and cronyism in City hall that has permeated that hole for 100 years. Bunch of people on here have been the beneficiaries of those clowns over the years so they defend them to the end.
Patti Buscemi- Sacks
5:32 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Barry is a hater, just ignore his posts..and maybe he'll go away!! Tom Sofield's retirement has nothing to do with Christmas Angel.. Shame, Shame, on you!!
Barry Gold
6:10 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
not a hater, just a truth sayer...Buscemi, sounds like another name in City hall that has gotten many favors over the years!! shame on you as well.
Margaret
6:56 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sounds like someone's bitter, Barry... I'll ask again- what have you done lately to give back to LB???
Patti Buscemi- Sacks
6:58 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
As for my family, don't even go there!! Got it!!!
Barry Gold
2:44 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
I will go there GOT IT?? scare tactics don't work little one.
Margaret
7:36 pm on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Just heard that the new city manager was picked.. Where's the transparency here?Why all the secrets from the new admin?
MeAgain
9:35 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Who did you hear it from?
Margaret
10:23 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
It's posted on a bunch of blogs and a few people from city hall confirmed
MeAgain
1:35 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2011
Which people from city hall? Might be the same people I am talking to
awesome
10:56 am on Sunday, December 11, 2011
What blogs? The only mentions I see of it are yours. Can you post links to these blogs?
Rich Tagliagambe
3:00 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
just make sure you tread lightly Mr Gold.. you too may find that you are a very small fish in a pond thats much too large, even for you... and make no mistakes, this isnt a scare tactic... and as for the comment as to the "real estate chick" who i was "dumped" by... that is the mother to my two sons... so unless you would like to create a bigger problem for yourself, i suggest you keep your personal comments to yourself... and as for Justin O'Grady... yes he was my friend...you shouldnt spit up in the air Barry (if thats your real name), cuz one day you may find it raining on you... when people are expressing opinions on the patch you should refrain from attacking people personally... just remember, EVERYONE is reachable....yes, even you... no threats, just sayin'... and since you know me so well, feel free to reach out to me personally to "discuss" this further...
Margaret
4:29 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2011
Mr. Gold its disgusting that you would reference someone who passed away and has absolutely NOTHING to do with this or what is even going on in this town. You are disgraceful.