48.0°,
Light Rain Getting organized for Wounded Warrior Day
Lawrence Yacht & Country Club event on Sept. 20
Organizing for the second annual Wounded Warrior Project Day at the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club got off to a good start as about 30 people attended the April 29 meeting at the club to divvy up the work for coordinating the Sept. 20 event that will include a Sunday filled with golf, tennis, fishing, lunch, a cocktail honor and a formal dinner.
The Wounded Warrior Project is an organization that seeks to assist military veterans who were injured during their service time adjust to civilian life through a variety of programs and services, including stress recovery, family and peer support, transition work training and physical activities that encompasses sports, fitness, nutrition and wellness.
More than $32,000 was raised at last year’s event. Atlantic Beach resident Barry Ringelheim, a club member and one of the organizers, said that the 2014 event taught them that more people need to be involved. “What we learned from last year is you need to have committees and a chairperson to be in charge of that committee,” he said. “A few people can’t run the entire event.”
This year there are 11 committees: men’s golf; ladies golf; men’s tennis; ladies tennis; fishing; signage for stores; raffle ticket sales; raffle prizes; catering; gift bag and sponsorships and sale of signs.
Woodmere resident and tennis player Rhonnie Fischman is a 12-year member of the club. Fischman is in charge of obtaining the raffle prizes. Acknowledging what the veterans have done is what prompted her involvement. “I think we have to give back to the veterans,” she said. “They put their lives on the line for us; we have to do something for them.”
With a luncheon, cocktail honor and a dinner to plan for, Oceanside resident Felice Brenner will have her hands full, but she believes it is well worth the work. “I think the wounded warriors don’t get enough recognition and this is our way of honoring them,” said the four-year club member. “ This organization is well worth it and without [the veterans] we wouldn’t be protected.”
Ringelheim said there is a need for more volunteers. The next general meeting is June 17 at 7 p.m. at LY&CC. For more information, contact Ringelheim at (516) 745-8820 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
