Manhattan Beach American Martyrs Community Steps Up, Gives Back

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — To support local businesses, the American Martyrs Catholic Church and School community decided to give back to the community that has always supported it and asked its members to purchase gift cards and merchandise from Manhattan Beach businesses that would be posted as online auction items to raise money for the Parish Fair. And indeed, the American Martyrs community has responded with a substantial amount of gift cards and merchandise purchased from area businesses, said Kathy Glynn in a comment posted on Manhattan Beach Patch.

Wrote Kathy, "It is true, many of our local businesses donated to our auction! However, I want to let you know that our auction team did not actively solicit donations from the local businesses this year. We did not ask them to 'step up' and support us. We pivoted this year and asked our American Martyrs community to 'step up' and support the local businesses who have been struggling this year as a result of the pandemic. It is thru donations from our American Martyrs community that we have been able to buy gift cards and items from local businesses; businesses who have supported us in the past. These gift cards and physical items in some cases are then put in our online auction. https://app.causeevents.com/mobile-event-auctions/581. We felt this was the right thing to do this year. In the big picture it is a win-win for everyone; local businesses are supported and participation in the auction supports American Martyrs and its outreach and ministries."

The Parish Fair was scheduled for this weekend, however, as with most other large events, it was canceled due to COVID-19. And, like many other fundraising efforts in Manhattan Beach, the Parish Fair turned to an online auction to raise funds in place of the outdoor fair booths and activities.

In addition to the online auction, which can be found here, American Martyrs also is selling Limited Edition official American Martyrs merchandise on the same page.

If you'd like to donate an auction item, you may do so online. The auction ends tomorrow [Sunday, Oct. 17] at 2 p.m. For a list of some of the Manhattan Beach restaurants and businesses with gift cards and/or items in the online auction, see Manhattan Beach Businesses On American Martyrs Online Auction.

Contactless drive-thru pickup of any auction item you win will be held tomorrow from 4-7 p.m. only in the American Martyrs lower parking lot. Use the East gate to enter and the West gate to exit. American Martyrs Catholic Church is at 1431 Deegan Place. The school is at 1701 Laurel Avenue. The parking structure's East entrance is on Laurel Avenue.