About $8,600 has been raised so far this summer to benefit the City’s adopted Marines and Sailors.
The monies have been raised through community support at events sponsored by the Marine Adoption Committee and City of Mission Viejo. Proceeds raised will help fund upcoming programs, events and more for the Marines, Sailors and their families.
About $4,400 was raised on July 19 during a car wash fund-raising event hosted by the Marine Adoption Committee. Roughly 40 Marines and Sailors – armed with sponges – washed 118 vehicles during the 4-hour event at Civic Center that also included sales of hats, shirts, coins, hot dogs and drinks. The community’s generosity will help support a special “Family Day” send-off at the end of summer for the Headquarters Battalion of the First Marine Division before members deploy overseas.
Earlier this month, the committee raised $4,200 during the City’s Fourth of July Street Faire to help benefit Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines. Members of the adoption committee raised the money by selling Polo shirts and hats commemorating the City’s 20th anniversary of cityhood. Volunteers also sold special “Challenge Coins,” which honor the Marine Corps and those that serve in the Headquarters Battalion, First Marine Division.
Since the City adopted the Headquarters Battalion of the First Marine Division from Camp Pendleton in March 2006, the community has embraced the battalion by going out its way to provide assistance and help boost the morale of battalion members and their families. The City’s resident-strong adoption committee, formed shortly after the official adoption, has worked hard to provide support for the battalion and its family and maintain a bond with the its adopted Mission Viejo community. In the past couple of years, the committee has collected furniture and household goods for Marines and Sailors transferring off base – along with toys and gift cards for the families during the holidays. This past spring, the committee provided meals for 300 Marines/Sailors and their families during a special day at Lake Mission Viejo.
The bond between the City’s adopted Marines/Sailors and the community goes both ways. To show support for residents, the battalion has provided a color guard at numerous local events; participated in the City’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies; and honored residents with a spectacular performance by the Marine Corps band at the recently renovated Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.
Plans are in the works for three more car washes to raise $16,000 more to help offset the costs of entry-level Marines attending the annual formal ball in November. For more information about supporting the Marines and Sailors, call 949-470-3061.
I loved your story, and am personally happy to see that challenge coins have found their way into such events as morale boosters. It sounds like Mission Viejo has their act together when it comes to lending a helping hand.