Gordon Philanthropies hosts a special holiday celebration filled with surprises for families facing unique challenges at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The holiday celebration was organized for families facing unforseen circumstances. From families dealing with the recent loss of a loved one due to the global pandemic, to families navigating separation due to incarceration, the festive gathering provided families with much needed love and support.

Program Director Sylvia Beanes shared, “It is a small, but heartfelt gesture that the foundation used as a way to contribute to families in need, especially those in need of a little Christmas magic.”

The celebration was hosted outdoors at the Aquarium of the Pacific Long Beach. Staff welcomed 100 families, who enjoyed Santa Claus and a Polar Bear reading the Christmas classic, The Polar Express. Afterwards, each child was gifted their own copy of the book in addition to a surprise gift. Families in attendance were also given a gift card to help with the expense of groceries during the holidays.

All the families are part of the GP’s Communities That Read Together, Grow Together reading program. For over 80% of the attendees, this was their first time visiting the aquarium. The delight in the children’s faces as they witnessed the colorful fish swim in tanks was the greatest joy for the GP staff, community partners, and parents. As one parent stated, “Just an opportunity to forget my worries for a bit and provide some Christmas joy to my children who have been through so much, including homelessness, hunger, and the loss of their dad. I see their smiles and remember the playfulness of being a child.”

Founder of Gordon Philanthropies Dan Gordon said, “Our mission is to support the educational efforts of families involved in our reading program. However, you can’t exclude the hunger and tragic events our families face. This event was a small but meaningful way that we could share the Christmas spirit while reminding our families that they do not stand alone.”