by Ezabelle Janssen, Senior Staff Writer
LONG BEACH (GG) — Christmas cheer was in the forecast early this year, sweeping over Long Beach on September 26th as the community gathered to help make the holidays brighter for children in foster care. Held upstairs at Coastal Daiquiri Bar & Grill, “Jeepin’ for a Christmas Wish” brought supporters together for a silent auction and 50/50 raffle benefiting the Beauty with Heart Foundation. Live music from Lil Danny boomed from below as auction items lined the walls, their bids steadily climbing against a beautiful view of the beach.
Each bid, raffle ticket, and donation added a little more warmth to the evening, bringing the foundation closer to its goal of creating a memorable Christmas for 250 Harrison County foster children.
“Today’s been amazing. It’s like a whirlwind,” Beauty with Heart Foundation President and co-founder Jen Dexter Edsall said. “I grew up in foster care, so to see the community come out, really show up and show out, is just amazing.”
Edsall said foundation members worked tirelessly to organize the fundraiser, but the turnout surpassed what they had imagined. “To see everybody come out and really uplift and show their love is just beyond anything we’ve thought,” she said.
Vice President and co-founder Lauren Riley Dubuisson shared her gratitude, thanking the local businesses that filled the silent auction with donated items.
“I think we’re overwhelmed by the support, in a good way,” Dubuisson said. “It’s been the greatest turnout, more than we could ever imagine… We’re so grateful for all of their support, and for helping us give these kids a Christmas they dream of,” she added. The Long Beach-based nonprofit began in January, but the first spark of its mission appeared during the previous holiday season. Edsall and Dubuisson joined forces to buy presents for teenagers in Harrison County’s foster care system, an age group they wanted to ensure wouldn’t be forgotten.
Within two weeks, they had provided a Christmas gift for every local teen in foster care. The experience inspired them to form Beauty with Heart Foundation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping foster and underserved youth feel seen, valued, and supported. Now, the foundation is preparing to fill the season with even more Christmas magic with its first Christmas with Heart celebration.
The private event, planned for December 5th, will include a Christmas meal, pictures with Santa, a DJ, cookie decorating, a hot chocolate bar, and a photo booth. Mrs. Claus and a team of elves may also join the festivities.
Each child will leave the party with a gift and receive additional presents to open at their foster home on Christmas morning.
A flurry of community support is helping bring those plans to life. The Long Beach Rotary Club is assisting with stockings, while the Gulf Coast Bicycle Club and Harrison County Sheriff’s Department are raising funds to provide a bicycle for each of the 250 children.
Radio station 97.9 will also partner with the foundation to host a toy drive and bring a bus to help collect donations.
Those interested in volunteering for the Christmas celebration can contact the Beauty with Heart Foundation through its Facebook page to request an application.
As auction totals rose and music filled the air, the evening offered more than a fun night. It brought an early glimpse of the warmth still to come, proving that when a community showers children with generosity, the Christmas forecast can look merry and bright.
(Photo by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)
