South Bay Giving Back: Easter Basket Project

This week on South Bay Giving Back, we are featuring the Easter Basket Project that is a local project that benefits foster kids at Olive Crest. Debbie Presson, a local South Bay resident has been doing this project for several years and we are excited to help her get the word out!

Tell us a little about you:

Having grown up in Playa del Rey, I’m actually a native to the area! I moved to Redondo Beach over 20 years ago to be closer to my teaching job at Peninsula High School. I stepped out of the classroom when we were waiting on the adoption of our daughter, who is now 7. I have a skincare business where I continue to learn and help teach others. I have been working to start an Adoption / Foster Ministry through our church, American Martyrs (where I met and married my husband!) We strive to be a resource for the South Bay community, not just the parish.

South Bay Giving Back: Easter Basket Project

Please tell us about your project:

The Easter Baskets project started 3 years ago as part of the American Martyrs Church Day of Volunteering, in partnership with Olive Crest. We stuffed baskets and eggs for a big hunt at their community activity where children in foster care as well as at-risk children participated. For the 2nd year, the community event has sadly had to be cancelled. However, Olive Crest kids will still receive Easter baskets as they did last year and we hope to be back to a community event next year!

Who are you supporting with this project?

Olive Crest supports children in foster care as well as at-risk families. They work to end the cycle of abuse, together and we are a part of that! https://www.olivecrest.org

What inspired you to do this Easter Basket project?

Although we did not adopt from the foster system, adoption holds a special place in my heart and it often goes hand in hand with foster. Over the last few years, the connections have fallen in my lap really. All I can explain is that God is laying out a path – often times throwing the stepping stones down in front of me, really not discreet at all! I am just following the path. I have no idea where it’s taking me but I just want to help and educate people. There is SO much we can do to support this population even without taking in a child. We can all be part of the solution!

How can the community support your Easter Basket efforts?

For this specific project, we are in need of the items from the Amazon Wish List.

Anything else you would like us to include?

We will be having an Adoption / Foster Expo coming soon where people can learn about many different agencies serving these kids in different capacities. When we decided to adopt, I didn’t know where to start. I want to be that starting point for others in the same place.