Longfellow Community Association
December 2020 Newsletter
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December Event
Longfellow Holiday Lights Bike Ride & Contest
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Meet in front of MLK Cafe (3860 MLK Jr. Way, between 39th & Apgar)
Instead of yet another Zoom meeting, join neighbors for some fresh air and holiday cheer as we tour the neighborhood's holiday lighting displays by bike (or scooter!).
Have you decorated your house for the holidays? Add your address to our online listing.
To make things interesting, after our bike tour of all the homes added to the online listing, we'll all go home and vote for our favorite holiday house. The home with the most votes will receive a bag of coffee and a $20 gift card courtesy of States Coffee! States Coffee is the new East Bay-based owner of our local neighborhood coffee shop (formerly Subrosa), and we're thrilled they eagerly offered to support our holiday celebration. Let's show them some love back!
Consistent with the current public health guidance on outdoor gatherings, face coverings are required for all participants and everyone will be expected to properly social distance.
If you're in a high-risk group, have other plans Tuesday, or just don't feel comfortable joining us for this physically-distanced social event, you are welcome to tour on your own and still voting for your favorite holiday light display.
Look for an email message early next week with a map of all the homes entered into the contest and instructions for how to vote!
Note: If it happens to rain next Tuesday, we'll gather and head-out for the ride at 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 20 instead.
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Give Blood
American Red Cross Blood Drive in Longfellow on December 30
Based on the overwhelming success of our last neighborhood blood drive, American Red Cross (ARC) will be back in Longfellow collecting blood donations on Wednesday, December 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Yu Ming Charter School (41st & MLK).
Blood remains in short supply due to the ongoing pandemic, so your gift of life is as needed now as ever!
Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure proper social distancing. Reserve your donation spot now.
Please Note: The map on ARC's website may not show the correct location. Regardless of the map location you see on their site, the blood drive will be held at Yu Ming's location in Longfellow at 675 41st St.
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
LCA COVID-19 Relief Fund Crushes Fundraising Goal
When COVID-19 shutdowns began in March, few of us imagined we'd still be hunkered down at Thanksgiving. Yet here we are. And in Longfellow, we know many members of our community are continuing to feel the economic effects of the pandemic.
That is why LCA launched the Longfellow Covid-19 Relief Fund just in time for Giving Tuesday. We posted news of the fund on Facebook that day, but we didn't even have a chance to include it in a newsletter before neighbors responded with overwhelming support.
In just one week, neighbors blew past our initial $5,000 fundraising goal. And, thanks to the generosity of one of our community members, that first $5,000 was matched for a total of more than $10,000 raised from neighbors, for neighbors, so far!
If you are in the position to donate, please consider giving today 100% of your contribution (less any processing fees) will be distributed to Longfellow residents who have been economically impacted by the pandemic. It doesn't get much more locally impactful than that!
Our goal is to distribute up to 20 grants to applicants, by random lottery. Interested in applying for a grant, or have questions about the program? Learn more at the LCA website.
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Join the LCA Board
LCA is led by an all-volunteer Board composed of neighbors who live and/or work in Longfellow. The Board is eager to welcome new perspectives and is actively seeking new members. If you are interested in serving on the Board, let us know!
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Connect with LCA on Slack!
 Though we can't meet in person for the time being, we encourage you to join the LCA Workspace on Slack, where you can collaborate with the LCA Board and other neighbors to keep our organization's community-building initiatives and resources going!
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Your Holiday Shopping Can Support our Neighborhood!
Did you know the Amazon purchases you already may be making could be benefiting our neighborhood? By shopping at smile.amazon.com and selecting Longfellow Community Association as your charity of choice, Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to support our programs, events and engagement -- at no additional cost. Get started today!
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LCA: For Neighbors, By Neighbors
 Longfellow Community Association is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that's run entirely by volunteers from our neighborhood. Our community programs and events are only possible because so many of you give your time, talent and resources to make our neighborhood great.
Would you consider helping out? Your contribution of any size will go a long way to support our programs, events and engagement.
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As always, the LCA Board welcomes your thoughts, ideas and input. Email us anytime at board@longfellowoakland.org.
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