Event raises more than $5,000 for military charities

VERNON — For the second year in a row, the Beers for Buch event in honor of local resident Cpl. Alexander Buccieri raised more than $5,000 goal to military charities Semper Fi Fund, Fisher House Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

Held on Sept. 14, family and friends of Alexander Buccieri put together this fundraiser in order to give back to the military organizations that help out families when their loved one is in need of special services. Held at the Vernon Inn, the Vernon Inn donated 15 percent of participants food and beverage bill to donate to the cause as well.

Entertainment, T-shirts and auctions also were done to help raise money for the event. Buccieri was a marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. Buccieri served two tours in Afghanistan as an Airframer. He passed away April 6, 2013, as an active duty service member in a fatal motorcycle accident.

He is survived by his wife and son and family members who reside in Vernon as well. Friends and Marines of Buccieri's unit, HMLA 369, flew in to attend the special event. Local businesses also donated in efforts to help the event as well such as Heaven Hill Farms, the George Inn, Rooster Tees, Minerals Resort and Spa, and Dairy Swirl.