Waterfront Warriors Hold First 2011 Fundraiser

The Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, a volunteer group that invites wounded soldiers and their families to the City of Long Beach each summer, held this year’s inaugural fund-raiser at Hub Billiard Club on Austin Boulevard in Island Park on April 3.

Hub owner Brad Turner donated the use of his club to parents and children for a fun day of pool, ping pong and karaoke with DJ Big Kahuna. Upstairs at Michael’s, families played video games, air hockey and more. Gary from Pancho’s Cantina donated delicious Mexican specialties. A donation at the door gave everyone a few hours of quality playtime.

Families of Long Beach Catholic Regional School were on hand to enjoy the day, adding even more dollars to their $7,000 donation presented to the Warriors in February.

Proceeds from the day will provide transportation, meals and housing for soldiers and families who visit Long Beach from July 23 to 29. This is the third year that wounded soldiers have been treated to events and beach time in Long Beach. About 30 families are expected to visit this summer. Events will include a 5K race, a welcome parade and beach visits.

LBWW is looking for individuals and businesses willing to provide financial support and/or participation for such activities as attending fundraisers, providing local transportation, guest liaisons, home hosts, serving beach lunches, donating restaurant meals, collecting raffle prizes, assisting with a morning of surfcasting on the beach or fishing off Magnolia Pier.  If you have previously volunteered, hosted or been a liaison in the past we would still appreciate it if you could take time to attend this meeting.

If you’re interested in volunteering for the Waterfront Warriors, the first public meeting for the LBWW’s will take place at 6 p.m. on April 12 at Long Beach City Hall.

For more information about LBWW, visit lbwaterfrontwarriors.org.