Send-a-Kid-to-Camp: Help kids go to camp while eating at Johnny Rebs True South restaurant

Shell out for charity, have a great barbecue — and send a kid to camp!

That’s the mantra of Cheryl Carter, owner of Johnny Rebs’ True South Restaurant, 4663 Long Beach Blvd. Carter is putting containers on all of the tables at her restaurant for customers to donate to the Press-Telegram’s Send-a-Kid-to-Camp campaign.

The Press-Telegram, as well as its sister publication, the Grunion Gazette, has partnered for the 26th year with the Long Beach Community Foundation to send kids to a week at camps in nearby mountains operated by the Big Five youth organizations: the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, Camp Fire Long Beach, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, now known as Scouting America.

Johnny Rebs’ True South was proud to support the “Shell Out for Charity” program raising funds to send kids to camp, Carter said.

“This effort, founded by the late and legendary Press-Telegram columnist Tom Hennessy, has helped local kids enjoy a life-changing week at camp in the mountains,” she said.

It costs the youth organizations, on average, $600 to send one child to camp for a week of unforgettable experiences in the mountains.

“Your pocket change, dollars or checks truly make a difference,” Carter said. “I love these kids and want to help as many as I can.”

Carter said she will give a $100 gift certificate to anyone making a $600 contribution.

Carter’s years spent as a Brownie and Girl Scout, including camping in the San Bernardino Mountains, were invaluable, she said.

“I had a fantastic time making friends, learning new things and just having fun,” she said.

We invite you to go to Johnny Rebs’ True South, have some peanuts and barbecue — and shell out for the Send-a-Kid-to-Camp fund.

So far, readers have donated a total of $67,884 to the fund, including $13,567 toward a matching grant of $30,000, which has been donated by Frank and Margie Newell. The Newells have donated $30,000 on the condition that readers match that amount with their donations. The fund campaign deadline is June 15.

We thank you in advance for your generosity for making a difference in the life of a youngster.

How to donate

Online: Donations with a credit card via the Long Beach Community Foundation’s website are preferred. Go to longbeachcf.org.

Mail: Send a check with “Send-a-Kid-to-Camp” in the memo, payable to Long Beach Community Foundation, 1 World Trade Center, 8th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90831.

Donations

This week (May 23-29): $13,567.01.

Campaign total: $67,884.04.

Matching total: $13,567.01.

Donors:

• Nina Hoffmann and Larry Batina.
• Irene and Howard Bergh.
• Theresa and Al Brunella.
• Anonymous.
• Richard Carlson.
• Elen Castleberry.
• Jeff and Suzanne Castner.
• Ellis and Julie Cinco.
• Chris Conway.
• Craig Cross.
• Stephen and Julie Darling in memory of Bernice Van Steenbergen.
• Ed and Molly Ficarra.
• Gina Foss in memory of Jane Scales.
• Craig Hagman in memory of our parents, Lynn and Betty.
• Cheri Hawks.
• Douglas Heisler.
• Sean Jansen.
• James and Thora Lamhofer.
• Bob Murrin.
• Tommy Nerman in memory of Ingrid Ankarberg.
• Tommy Nerman in memory of Beverly Norberg.
• The Nork family.
• Suzanne and David Nosworthy.
• Ann Pray.
• Donald and Judith Robinson.
• Albert Rosset.
• Vern and Trish Schooley.
• Anonymous.
• Paul Meyer.
• David Shlemmer.
• Barbara Smith.
• Candice and Larry Stacy.
• Anonymous.
• Ronald and Gayle Taggart.
• Richart and Janette White.