Crafting Your Own Path in Volunteering

by Sue Murray, Volunteer Spotlight Writer

In recent years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many inspiring individuals who dedicate their time to Beach Cities Health District (BCHD). This month, I spoke with a former standout volunteer: Tatum Cunningham, a student at Redondo Union High School (RUHS) whose journey of community service is as impressive as her many talents.

Tatum, a Southern California native, has lived in Redondo Beach with her family for most of her life. Her passions and skills run deep—from rock climbing since the age of three to competitive sailing with the RUHS team. She’s also an entrepreneur, creating and selling her own jewelry and accessories through her pop-up store, “Little Things Pop Up Accessories Store,” on her high school campus.

The holidays can be a difficult and lonely time for isolated older adults and adults with disabilities in our community. However, each holiday season since 1998, friendly BCHD volunteers have delivered gift bags filled with practical and fun items to over 250+ Beach Cities older adults and adults with disabilities in the BCHD Care Management program. 

How to Give 

Donate. This can be done in any amount through a credit card or check. Donate $100 or more by December 1 and you may have your family or organization’s generosity acknowledged on our website, in a local newspaper and in a letter that goes to all gift bag recipients.  

Deliver. Volunteer and deliver cheer to an older adult in the Beach Cities this December. The visits help provide clients with joy, companionship and comfort during the holiday season. Signups open October 31.  

Visit bchd.org/holidaygiftbags for more information. For questions, connect with our Volunteer Engagement Supervisor, Alejandra Sierra, CVA, call 310-374-3426, ext. 8160 or alejandra.sierra@bchd.org 

Join us at the next BCHD Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m. 

All volunteers are welcome to attend Board meetings typically held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. 

Get information on upcoming meetings and leave public comments on agendas here: https://www.bchd.org/public-meetings. 

Help us raise money for youth mental health for #GivingTuesday!

BCHD is launching a fundraising campaign to help reinvent the future of mental health. We are on a mission to support the health and well-being of young people and find innovative solutions to the youth mental health crisis and we need your help.

Donate to allcove Beach Cities. No matter how much you give, 100% of your donation supports youth well-being. BCHD subsidizes $1,000,000 annually to operate allcove. Join our efforts by becoming a one-time or monthly donor to support the center’s work and the young people in our community.

This year, #GivingTuesday is on Tuesday, December 3. We’re asking supporters of youth mental health to help us sustain the work of caring for young people by donating to allcove Beach Cities!

Together, we can disrupt the youth mental health crisis.

Why is allcove important to you?

“One of the biggest challenges for youth is finding people and places that truly understand what we are going through and allcove is that place because everything within it has been created with youth input.”



- Alina, youth community member and BCHD volunteer

Make a gift at www.bchd.org/give to support young people like Alina.

It is important for Beach Cities Health District to be out in the community sharing our programs and resources to residents. Share with friends and family and volunteer together!  

Let It Snow 

This event is guaranteed to be family fun for everyone! Join Redondo Beach Police Department at Seaside Lagoon on Saturday, December 7 for real snow, reindeer, crafts and of course the BCHD slide! Volunteers will assist with helping children on and off the inflatable slide, checking wrist bands and ensuring safe play.

Shift times: 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. 

Hermosa Holiday Movie Night 

Join us Friday, December 13 at the Hermosa Beach Community Center for holiday activities, craft stations, photos with Santa and more. The free movie screening starts at 6:30 p.m. Volunteers will assist with helping children on and off the inflatable slide, checking wrist bands and ensuring safe play.

Shift Time: 4:45 – 7 p.m. 

A Word From Our Community Partner – South Bay Parkland Conservancy 



If you are interested in volunteering directly with the Conservancy, please check out these opportunities here: South Bay Parkland Conservancy Calendar

Please note that BCHD is not involved with these programs and will not be participating onsite. Should you have any questions please contact the SBPC directly at info@southbayparks.org. 

Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD? See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org.

Administrative Office Front Desk Volunteer 

Our Admin and Community Services departments are looking for volunteer help including telephone coverage; front desk screening of staff and visitors; periodic disinfection of shared spaces; mail and package distribution; badge making; supplies inventory; assembling marketing packets; assisting with Help Desk Ticket tasks and projects. Must be 18+ and commit to weekly 4-hour shift on a regular basis. Shift needed: Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Center for Health & Fitness Front Desk Volunteer 

Volunteers (18+) will check in and greet members as they arrive at the gym as well as provide additional assistance to front desk staff. Weekly commitment is 2 hours a week. Shifts needed: Tuesday, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Sunday, 9 – 11 a.m. 

Conversation Companion: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities 

Volunteers (18+) are matched with older adults and/or adults with disabilities to visit and engage in socialization activities such as life review, watching movies at home or in the theater, playing card or board games, taking walks, going for lunch, etc. Weekly 1-1.5-hour commitment. 

Errand Volunteer: Support Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities  

Errand Volunteers (18+) are matched with one of our Care Management clients and do weekly shopping for basic needs like groceries and prescriptions. Weekly 1-1.5-hour shift commitment for at least 3 months required.   

LiveWell Kids Garden Angel

Volunteers (18+) maintain school gardens in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach by weeding, watering, planting and doing other projects on a rotating basis to support programming that promotes healthy eating through hands-on nutrition lessons. This is a physically active role that involves bending, kneeling, light lifting, gardening activities and working outside. Minimum one-year commitment and at least two shifts per month on Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday between 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. 

Volunteer Hours



We appreciate all the commitment of our community to help others in 2023. We are grateful for the 26,520.87 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2023. This number includes groceries shopped for, prescriptions picked up, calls made, visits to our older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check ins, committees met, administrative support, intern projects, gardens kept, allcove support and more. Thank you all!

January: 2,945.13 

February: 2,418.82 

March: 2,551.08 

April: 2,028.23 

May: 2,299.75 

June: 2,285.00 

July: 3,207.50 

August: 2,723.52 

September: 2,378,67 

October: 2,226.57 

Total: 25,111.27 

Volunteer Anniversaries 

Thank you to these fabulous volunteers for their years of service! We’re so fortunate to have volunteers who are so committed to making this a healthy beach community! Congrats on your anniversary!  

November 

Jayne Glodowski 16 

Peggy Kramer 12 

Denise Fucci 10 

Vijay Jeste 9 

Alex Barkopoulos 3 

Eric Nakamura 3 

Jennalee Leopard 2 

John Rice 2 

Yaya Kitagawa 1 

Zoe Goldman 1 

*Official years of service in BCHD system.

Social Hour with BCHD Care Manager

Charlotte Barnett 

If you have a question regarding community resources, want to learn more about Beach Cities Health District or share and learn ways to keep busy, please join us! These meetings are for all, a place to connect and feel heard. 

First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual 

(December 3 & 17) 

10 – 11 a.m. 

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014  

2nd Mondays, In person 

(December 9) 

2 – 3 p.m.  

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room  

1601 N Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Virtual Mindfulness Drop-In

Take 30 minutes to downshift and practice mindfulness techniques. The guided session will be led by a trained Beach Cities Health District instructor.



First Wednesday of the Month

(December 4)

4 – 4:30 p.m.

BCHD Strategic Development

Half-Day 

Please join Beach Cities Health District's Board of Directors, Strategic Planning Committee and staff for our Strategic Planning Half-Day. 

The Half-Day brings together BCHD's Board, committees, staff, volunteers, community partners and members of the public to improve decision making, enhance organizational responsiveness, improve performance and strengthen the organization. 

Friday, December 6

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 

AdventurePlex 

1701 Marine Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

Those that will be in attendance will receive a calendar invite to lock in on your calendars. 

Note: This is an in-person event that will be streamed for those unable to attend. Viewers streaming the meeting can view the breakout activities and submit their feedback via email at communications@bchd.org . 

Screenagers: Elementary School Edition 

Join us for a free movie screening of “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition.” The new version of the original Screenagers movie addresses issues that elementary school-aged kids, parents and educators are facing – smartwatches in class, unhooking from and monitoring video gaming, social media pressures and exposure too young. This screening and discussion are intended for parents and caregivers to learn about existing research around these topics and potential solutions to these and other challenges in order to address and support mental well-being in the digital age. South Bay parents and caregivers are welcome to attend any event date. Free childcare offered by Adventure Plex staff (for children able to use the restroom independently). Find more information on the registration form. More showings will be offered throughout the 2024-25 school year. 

Tuesday, December 10

8:30 – 10 a.m.  

Pennekamp Elementary School 

110 S. Rowell Ave., Manhattan Beach 

Monday, January 13

5:30 – 7 p.m. 

Madison Elementary School 

2200 MacKay Ln., Redondo Beach 

Thursday, January 23

5:30 – 7 p.m. 

Alta Vista Elementary School 

815 Knob Hill Ave., Redondo Beach 

Tuesday, February 4

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Lincoln Elementary School

2223 Plant Ave., Redondo Beach

Monday, February 10

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Beryl Heights Elementary School

920 Beryl St., Redondo Beach

Monday, March 3

5:30 - 7 p.m.

Jefferson Elementary School

600 Harkness Ln., Redondo Beach

Hybrid Board of Directors Meeting 

Residents are encouraged to attend BCHD Board Meetings either via Zoom or at 514 N. Prospect Avenue. Details about the meeting and agenda can be found online. Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings and may also contact board members directly with questions or comments.    

Wednesday, January 22

6:30 p.m. 

Beach Cities Health District 

514 N. Prospect Ave. 

Redondo Beach, CA 

Lower Level, Beach Cities Room