Community Givers Help Spread Charity From CAT

By Kelly Garrison
Features Editor

Community members deemed the most gracious givers by a panel of philanthropist judges won awards and recognition on Saturday during a ceremony at Bay Shore Church.

The contestant deemed the winner for the first-ever Long Beach Giving Project, Samuel Lippke, walked away with an additional $1,000 to give away to his cause of choice. He was among 15 community volunteers selected to partake in the three-week-long effort to help people they felt were in most need of help.

“I am so honored to have been a part of a group that challenged themselves to give,” Lippke said. “I’m so privileged to be someone affiliated with helping and changing peoples lives.”

Community activist Justin Rudd, who leads the Community Action Team (CAT), planned the event to enforce the philosophy of giving rather than getting, he said.

He selected seasoned CAT volunteers to participate in the program and gave each one $500 to distribute to people in and around the city.

“Each of their concerns for those with needs in the Long Beach area were varied and valid, from putting gas in someone’s tank, to delivering sandwiches to the homeless,” Rudd said.

“These CAT volunteers truly got it right. It is more blessed to give than to receive, and CAT is pleased and honored to host the Giving Project.”

During the ceremony, judges and spectators heard each contestant share a several-minute summary of how money was spent on community gifts. Donations included school equipment, transportation assistance, food, prom tickets, clothing, gasoline purchases, bill payments and more.

Lippke won the top prize — a $1,000 sum that he says he will try to multiply with donations from local businesses before using it to help charities. Meanwhile, other contestants received an extra $50 to give away.

“I already have some great ideas,” Lippke said of his prize money. “The first idea is to double it, then make the most of it working with different nonprofits.”

Participants had until May 10 to complete the challenge. Each had three weeks to use $500 to pay for goods and services however they saw fit for at least five people or organizations in the community. Beneficiaries of the project were nominated by the community or selected by members of the CAT.

Rudd said he hopes to expand the reach of the Giving Project next year. Rudd’s Long Beach Turkey Trot, the Haute Dog Easter Parade and private donations paid for the program.

For more information about the Long Beach Giving Project or other CAT outreaches, visit www.justinrudd.com.

To donate to CAT efforts, send an e-mail to Justin@JustinRudd.com.PAN=2>