Thursday, October 1, 2026
On Feb. 10, the students of Long Beach Catholic Regional School presented a check in the amount of $7,090 to the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors, an organization that assists wounded, ill and injured soldiers. The students raised the funds by holding a “jump-a-thon” competition on Sports Day, Feb. 3, as part of Catholic School Week activities.
LBCRS Principal Veronica Danca, faculty members and Rev. Msg. Donald Beckmann, Pastor of St. Ignatius Martyr Church joined LBWW’s board members as the children presented the check along with “thank you” cards and a crocheted blanket made by Marie Mc Guinness. A film representing the charitable works the students accomplish during the year followed the presentation.
On Friday, LBWW co-chairs John McLaughlin and Gerry Snell delivered the cards, quilt and electronic video game equipment to soldiers recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Wash, DC. The equipment will be available to wounded soldiers in a new recreation facility at the hospital.
“The soldiers wanted us to let the children know that their fund-raising efforts are deeply appreciated,” said McLaughlin. “They really enjoyed reading the handmade cards thanking the men and women for their service to our country.”
Danca noted that each year during Catholic School Week, the children choose an organization they’d like to donate money to and a sport in which to raise the money. “This year, the students chose the Waterfront Warriors, and each child who participated in the jump-a-thon donated their sponsorship money to the soldiers,” she said.
The Waterfront Warriors organization is made up of volunteers who raise funds to support soldiers and veterans throughout the year. They provide funding for emergency medical services, educational programs and recreational items, as well as shipping packages to soldiers overseas during their “Holiday for Heroes” campaign. Funds are also used to feed, entertain and house wounded soldiers and their families who visit Long Beach during the summer.
“Over the past two years we have hosted over 50 service men and women and their families,” said Snell. “They enjoy our beaches and appreciate the welcome that the people of our community show them.”
The Waterfront Warriors just announced that their first fundraiser of the year will be held at the Inn on June 25 from 4 -7 p.m. and will feature music, auctions and raffles. Plans are in the works for families to visit again this summer with events that include a 5K race and a welcome parade, July 23 and July 24 respectively, along with time at the beach and a trip to NYC.
For more information or if you would like to volunteer to support soldiers log onto lbwaterfrontwarriors.org. Also, check out a video of the event on the website.
