Beachfest to benefit non-profit charities

Extravaganza to be held at Shoreline Park will host largest chili cook-off

Beach Charities, a non-profit organization will holds its 14th annual Beachfest extravaganza at Shoreline Park in Long Beach, on Sunday and Monday.

Beachfest is one of Southern California's premiere music festivals. It also has the distinction of having the world's largest chili cook-off.

Billed as "from uptown to hoe-down," Beachfest features wine-tasting, a jazz and blues festival, chili cook-off, rock concert, celebrity mini indy race, an ugly dog contest, and pig races.

This year they have added three new attractions to the events. Eco-Island will feature the environmental and environmental groups including Natural Wonders and the Surf rider Foundation, Tech-Island will feature the latest in technology such as virtual-reality displays, and Adventure Island will be a huge outdoor playground featuring a rock-climbing wall.

"Our new attractions give our audience more to do than just listen to music," said Richard Goodwin, marketing director at Beach Charities.

The purpose of Beach Charities is to produce events that will effect positive changes in the community. To fulfill this mission each Beach event must accomplish some or all of the following goals; First, they must directly provide training, hope, opportunity, work experience, employment and positive role models for underprivileged or at risk young adults. Secondly, they must raise money for educational ,recreational and other charitable programs to benefit low income youth and senior citizens. Also the events help to spotlight community needs, support other charities and to showcase and promote the city, beaches and parks.

Visit the Beach Charities"' office and you'll see people of every race and background working together to learn a practical trade and to gain experience in the business world.

The organization's goal is to provide more part-time and permanent employment and more intensive training for more people.

According to most beach workers, their most rewarding and appreciated benefit is not the immediate monetary compensation, but rather the training, encouragement and hope offered for a better future.

For any hard worker that has demonstrated integrity, responsibility and a sincere desire to improve his or her self, Beach Charities offers a special package. The organization will pay the tuition and buys the books and tools needed for him or her to go to college or a trade school.

Beach Charities also provides or finds enough work to ensure that they can sustain themselves while getting their education.

Beach Charities has also donated more an $850,000 to other charitable programs in the community. The primary focus has been on scholarships and education for low-income youth, after-school programs for at-risk children and improving the quality of life for low-income senior citizens.

Because Beach Charities directs most of their attention to the production of events rather than providing charity services, Beach Charities gives them 100 percent of the proceeds from their ticket sales. This donation runs into the thousands of dollars every year.

As the name might suggest, Beach Charities has always held a soft spot for the city's beaches and parks.

Whenever possible, the group has supported environmental cause such as the Surf rider Foundation, special programs for the Long Beach Parks and Recreation Department, Junior Lifeguards Association and marine wildlife protection.

Beneficiaries from this year's Beachfest will include Special Olympics, scholarship funds and the Long Beach Animal Shelter.

"We are trying to raise enough money to buy a specially equipped van for the Long Beach Animal Shelter," said Beachfest worker Yunsen Wee.