Waterfront Warriors hold annual fundraiser at Lola's

Photos by Tim Baker/Herald

The Long Beach Waterfront Warriors had a strong turnout for its 7th annual fundraiser at Lola’s on May 18.

Photos by Tim Baker/ Herald

Nicola Brugueras, Danielle Spina and Greg Spina next to some of the raffle prizes.

Photos by Tim Baker/ Herald

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The Long Beach Waterfront Warriors held its seventh annual fundraiser on Monday, May 18, at Lola’s Kitchen and Wine Bar. The event included raffles, a DJ and live music. Skudin Surf and Unsound surf shop donated a custom surfboard, while the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Long Beach Polar Bears provided three prizes, and resident Pete Meyers gave the group a high-definition television to raffle off for the event, among other prizes.

Now in its seventh year, the Waterfront Warriors works to give severely wounded servicemen and women at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the chance to take a vacation with their families.

Organizers said the event had a strong turnout, with many coming from Long Beach and surrounding towns to donate, purchase Waterfront Warriors' apparel, participate in raffle drawings and enjoy food and drinks courtesy of the restaurant’s owners, brothers Mark and Rich McCarthy.

All proceeds go toward a week’s vacation for U.S. Marines, military servicemen and women and their families in Long Beach this summer. The organization raises money throughout the year to fund the trip, which LBWW Co-chair Jerry Snell said is considered the most popular among the troops at Walter Reed.

“We’re going to have 60 Marines and soldiers and their family members up from Walter Reed this year,” Snell said. “All of the people in Walter Reed are in rehab and extremely injured. According to social workers at Walter Reed, we are the most popular trip. If there are any family members they want to bring, we bring them, and the guys like that.”

Activities for the families during the visit will include a 5K Race for the Soldiers and a welcome parade, both on Sunday, July 19. Boat rides, fishing, relaxing at the beach, swimming, surfing lessons and a trip to New York City are among the activities traditionally held every year.  

“I’d like to thank Mark and Rich McCarthy for the best fundraiser, they’ve done it for seven years now, and this was the best one we’ve had,” said Snell, who added that another fundraiser will be held at the Inn on July 11.

For more information about the Waterfront Warriors, visit www.lbwaterfrontwarriors.org.