thedrifter
07-09-09, 07:57 AM
Published Wednesday, July 8, 2009 10:42 PM PDT
Bar tips for Marines
1st Battalion, 1st Marines are slated to receive double the amount of bartender tips gathered during evening-long fundraiser at A Restaurant, formerly Arches.
By Paul Oginni
The restaurants along Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach are usually busy and bustling by the time happy hour rolls around. Wednesday, one of them was particularly rowdy, even by the usual standards.
Local patrons flocked to A Restaurant to support the Marines during an evening-long fundraiser in which the bartenders’ tips were matched by two local businessmen and donated to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. The bartenders kept their tips while the Marines pocketed twice that much.
The money raised will be put into a general-purpose fund for the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. As the troops begin to return from overseas, the money will be used for a variety of causes that support them.
“Most of them are just getting back from Iraq,” said Dan Marcheano, the original owner of A Restaurant when he established it as the Arches. “During the beginning of November, [we give the Marines] a birthday ball. It’s very important, and it’s also very expensive. We do whatever we can to raise money and defray the cost for them.”
The event served as a homecoming of sorts for Marcheano. But when asked to reflect on that he preferred to shine the spotlight back on the Marines.
“It’s more about the Marines,” he said, “not about me.”
Marcheano recently helped coordinate a car wash that brought in $10,000 for the battalion. Another such car wash is scheduled for July 18.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Coleman, Marcheano plays a crucial role in ensuring that struggling troops have a smooth transition after their return from overseas.
“We have a Marine who just came back severely injured,” Coleman said, adding the committee helped him. “We help the injured Marines with anything that happens when they come back injured. ”
David Pyle and Joseph McGinty Nichol (better known as Hollywood director McG, who has a stake in A Restaurant), were the two locals who matched the tips.
Pyle was grateful for the opportunity to thank the troops.
“Not a day goes by we’re not reminded of our troops overseas,” Pyle said. “When Dan got this started, it seemed the right thing to do. I saw it as a win-win situation: the Marines benefit, the bartenders benefit in a tough economy, and we all get the opportunity to gather together as a community.”
Mary Buckingham, who organized the event, hoped it would be a chance to benefit both Marines and the country.
“I think it will help Newport Beach. And while we are making money, we are donating to a great cause.”
Ellie
Bar tips for Marines
1st Battalion, 1st Marines are slated to receive double the amount of bartender tips gathered during evening-long fundraiser at A Restaurant, formerly Arches.
By Paul Oginni
The restaurants along Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach are usually busy and bustling by the time happy hour rolls around. Wednesday, one of them was particularly rowdy, even by the usual standards.
Local patrons flocked to A Restaurant to support the Marines during an evening-long fundraiser in which the bartenders’ tips were matched by two local businessmen and donated to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. The bartenders kept their tips while the Marines pocketed twice that much.
The money raised will be put into a general-purpose fund for the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. As the troops begin to return from overseas, the money will be used for a variety of causes that support them.
“Most of them are just getting back from Iraq,” said Dan Marcheano, the original owner of A Restaurant when he established it as the Arches. “During the beginning of November, [we give the Marines] a birthday ball. It’s very important, and it’s also very expensive. We do whatever we can to raise money and defray the cost for them.”
The event served as a homecoming of sorts for Marcheano. But when asked to reflect on that he preferred to shine the spotlight back on the Marines.
“It’s more about the Marines,” he said, “not about me.”
Marcheano recently helped coordinate a car wash that brought in $10,000 for the battalion. Another such car wash is scheduled for July 18.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Coleman, Marcheano plays a crucial role in ensuring that struggling troops have a smooth transition after their return from overseas.
“We have a Marine who just came back severely injured,” Coleman said, adding the committee helped him. “We help the injured Marines with anything that happens when they come back injured. ”
David Pyle and Joseph McGinty Nichol (better known as Hollywood director McG, who has a stake in A Restaurant), were the two locals who matched the tips.
Pyle was grateful for the opportunity to thank the troops.
“Not a day goes by we’re not reminded of our troops overseas,” Pyle said. “When Dan got this started, it seemed the right thing to do. I saw it as a win-win situation: the Marines benefit, the bartenders benefit in a tough economy, and we all get the opportunity to gather together as a community.”
Mary Buckingham, who organized the event, hoped it would be a chance to benefit both Marines and the country.
“I think it will help Newport Beach. And while we are making money, we are donating to a great cause.”
Ellie