g WHAT CAT DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY
CAT Programs & Events

30-MINUTE BEACH CLEANUP
http://www.BeachCleanup.org
Our dirty beaches need constant care. Since the establishment of the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup in 1998, thousands of bags of trash and debris have been removed from the beaches in Long Beach. Bags, gloves, refreshments, and some T-shirts and door prizes are provided to the 40-150 volunteers who help to keep our beaches clean and safe for humans and marine life. The goal of the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup is to promote conservation awareness, recycling, and litter abatement through community involvement, environmental awareness and stewardship. This program has been honored by the Long Beach City Council, Surfrider Foundation, Long Beach Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Marine and by The Aquarium of the Pacific.

$1,000 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPELLING BEE CHAMPIONSHIP
http://www.SpellingBees.com
This championship bee is designed to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabulary, and develop correct English usage. This is an annual event held on a Sunday in March. The best speller from every elementary school in Southern California is invited to participate free of charge, and the winner takes home a check for $1,000! Plus, the winner's school receives a generous donation to purchase books for their library.

HAUTE DOGS
http://www.HauteDogs.org
Haute Dogs (pronounced Hot Dogs) is a series of events that promote social well-being and community unity. Haute Dogs also encourages responsible pet ownership, and has raised thousands of dollars for local charities, various shelters, spay/neuter programs, police canine units and local rescue organizations, including Recreation Dog Park, the Archer Foundation, Friends of Long Beach Animals, Long Beach K-9 Police Officers Association, the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup, spcaLA P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, Friends of Long Beach Animals, Seal Beach Animal Care Center, Dept. of Care and Control in Carson, Santa Ana Animal Shelter, Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Friends for Pets Foundation (Sun Valley), Mission Viejo Animal Shelter & Urgent Care, Animal Avengers, and Long Beach Animal Control. In addition, an informative and educational e-newsletter is distributed to more that 1,000 local dog owners a few times a month. Events include:
· Haute Dog Easter Parade: 300+ dogs dressed in Easter outfits and bonnets on parade for charity on Easter Sunday in Belmont Shore.
· Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade: A doggone good canine parade that benefits local charities when 350+ dogs dress in Halloween costumes.
· Haute Dogs on the Beach: Hosts regularly scheduled off-leash play areas on the beach in Long Beach. We are also spearheading a drive for a daily off-leash beach zone in Long Beach.
· Operation Santa Paws: toy/treat collection drive at Christmas time to benefit local shelters and rescue groups (more details below).
· Interfaith Blessing of the Animals: a Franciscan tradition to bless all pets is held in Long Beach each fall. The FREE Blessing is attended by more than 200 creatures -- from dog to opossum and rabbit to lizard. Following a very brief ceremony and blessing of holy water by six faith leaders, the creatures line up for a blessing from Catholic, Islamic, Buddhist, Protestant and Jewish faiths.
· Haute Dog Triathlon (owner and dog will swim, do an obstacle course & run)

OPERATION SANTA PAWS
http://www.HauteDogs.org
Santa remembers dogs and cats, too. Residents, businesses and organizations spend two weeks collecting more than 1000 pounds of pet food, grooming products and chew toys each December for abused and abandoned animals housed at shelters/rescues around the Southland. This program has received national television news attention.

OPERATION EASTER BASKET Brining joy and hope to children in desperate situations right here in Long Beach through gift-filled Easter Baskets containing items such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, essential clothing items and some candy. This program, organized by Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on project while focusing on the true meaning of love -- the greatest gift. MORE

ULTIMATE QUEST (UQ) RACE FOR CHARITY
http://www.UltimateQuest.org
Think fast on your feet! Two-person teams race around town (only by bus or foot) deciphering clues to find checkpoints and scavenger items. Teams use digital cameras to prove they've visited the checkpoints. Throughout the race, participants are allowed to use cell phones to get help from friends or family members. In addition to cash prizes, the winning team gets to donate 100% of entry fees from all participants to their charity-of-choice. This event familiarizes participants with the local public transit system, while providing fast-paced thinking and community spirit.

Kids' Halloween Costume Contest

THERE WILL BE $100 cash awarded during the 2nd annual SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA KIDS' COSTUME CONTEST on Sat., Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. in front of Washington Mutual Bank, 5200 E. Second St. in Belmont Shore. The contest for kids 12 and under is free to enter and to spectate and is open to the public. Judging will be based on creativity, originality, audience appeal and first impression. CLICK HERE for more details on the contest.

g RED, WHITE & YOUTH
The Great American 4th of July Bike Parade

FANCY FOURTH OF JULY harbor cruises, spectacular theme park fireworks shows and lavish community parades have nothing on this simple annual event in Long Beach. The city's Fourth of July Bike Parade & Contest has got to make everyone smile and cheer with its old-fashioned appeal as hundreds of local kids decorate their two-wheelers and ride the sunny beach boardwalk. Red, white and blue streamers, crepe paper, balloons and American flags are on display and $10 is awarded to the top ten young future designers for originality, creativity, spectator appeal, and display of red, white and blue. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on the beach bike path at the end of Granada Ave. in Belmont Shore. CLICK HERE for parade info. --Sheryll Alexander, AOL/Digital City

OTHER ONGOING PROJECTS
· Coordinating drives for books, clothing, canned goods, non-perishables and toys for those in need.
· Running an HIV+ support group offered to men and women. CLICK HERE for HIV info.
· Guest speaking on CAT issues.

PROPOSED UPCOMING PROJECTS
· Adult Spelling Bee
· Recycling programs
· Senior Sprint Dating for those 65+
· Geography Bee
· Litter Removal from major traffic intersections
· 5k/10k Pajama Run on the bike path
· Canine Cotillion & Debutante Doggie Dance
· Bicycle Registration Event
· Canine City Licensing & Awareness Event
· Yappy Hours for dogs and their owners
· CAT Walk for charity
· Butts Off the Beach event, to remove cigarette butts from the beach
· Cigarette Butts are Litter, a proactive education program

Please make donation checks payable to "CAT" and mail to: Attn. Justin Rudd, 5209 E. The Toledo #1, Long Beach, CA 90803. Your contributions are tax deductible. Thanks.