Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption ProgramThe Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Program History
To make a difference in the lives of our military personnel and their families, the City of Irvine adopted a Marine battalion from Camp Pendleton. Always faithful, the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (2/11), was officially adopted at the Irvine Civic Center on September 15, 2007. More than 100 Marines from the Camp Pendleton artillery battalion traveled to City Hall to participate. The City Council approved the proposal to adopt 2/11 in April 2007.
In front of two M777 howitzers and a huge American flag, which dressed City Hall, the half-hour ceremony was performed with full military precision. Both civic and military leaders spoke about traditions, values and the importance of fostering a strong relationship with the community. The City of Irvine and the 2/11 made a pledge to encourage mutually beneficial interactions between the community and the battalion. The City and the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee hopes to garner community participation by encouraging civic interaction between residents and service members at community events and City functions. To view the photo gallery please click on the link.
The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee welcomes the Irvine community to support our adopted battalion by participating in a variety of activities. Please see Upcoming Activities for opportunities to support the 2/11 Marines and their families.
About the 2/11 2d Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
2d Battalion, 11th Marines (2/11) is a 155mm howitzer battalion comprised of: HQ Battery, Battery E 2/11 (Echo Battery), Battery F 2/11 (Fox Battery), Battery G 2/11 (Golf Battery), and K 3/12 (Kilo Battery). Their primary mission is Direct Support to the 5th Marine Regiment in time of conflict. That support may come in the traditional fashion of artillery support to maneuver forces or by providing batteries to serve as provisional rifle companies. 2/11 was the first battalion in the Marine Corps to fully transition three firing batteries to the M777 howitzer. The command has roughly 750 Marines and Sailors assigned to it. Click here to view an ICTV video presentation on the 2/11.
Upcoming Activities
Support Our Heroes
Help support the Marines and Sailors of Irvine’s adopted battalion by participating in one of their upcoming fundraising events to benefit active-duty personnel and their families. The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee accepts donations to help underwrite the cost of sponsoring military family activities, sending care packages, and providing monetary support for families of deployed service members. For information regarding upcoming activities, please email Irvine211@yahoo.com or msanders@cityofirvine.org
2/11 Committee Calendars
Late last year, the Committee assembled a composite of pictures of our events and 2/11 Marine activities and formulated a 2010 Calendar as a fund raising piece. We still have Calendars, available for a suggested donation of $10.00. Contact us at irvine211@yahoo.com to arrange for mailing.
Upcoming events inlcude annual car wash fundraiser, Memorial Day Ceremony in partnership with City of Irvine, and creation of an annual calendar.
Our Successes
2009 Holiday Party and Toy Drive
The Holiday Party for the Battalion on December 16, 2009 was a great success! The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee hosted the event for some 800 Marines, Sailors and family members at Camp Pendleton. We were able to fund the entire event which included a multi course dinner, gifts and raffle prizes. The Toys Drive we conducted with your help, provided quality toys to over 200 children of the Battalion! Many, many thanks to all those who contributed to making this an incredible showing of support for the Battalion.
Cans for Cash
In 2009, the 2/11 Committee partnered with the City of Irvine in the national Cans for Cash campaign to recycle aluminum cans and plastic bottles as a fund raiser. We have been advised that the City of Irvine has received the Most Innovative Campaign Award and has designated the $5,000 award to the 2/11 Committee’s General Fund! Thanks to the City Of Irvine and thanks to all of you who recycled cans and bottles in support of the 2/11 Marines. As an on-going fund raising opportunity, we are being allowed to continue recycling aluminum cans and plastic bottles at the Irvine Recycle Center. You can drop off your recyclables and be sure to let them know that the donation is for “Irvine 2/11”. Not only will you be helping to fund our events for 2/11 Marines and their families but you will be contributing to community efforts in recycling. Car Wash fundraiser
On Saturday, May 30, 2009, the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee hosted a car wash fundraiser at Lakeview Senior Center and raised over $6000 to support the Marines, sailors, and their families. This kind of community support means the world to our military service people and the families they leave behind. The Car Wash was an entirely community-sponsored event and we are 100% dependent on community support. All proceeds and monetary donations from the event will go directly into the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Fund and used in the future for events pertaining to the Battalion. 2/11 Command Presentation
Colonel Hall, Commanding Officer, and Sergeant Major Pile of the 2/11 Battalion give a presentation to the 2/11 Committee, City Councilmembers, invited guests and residents of Irvine on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 in the Council Chambers at the Irvine Civic Center. This informative presentation highlighted the Battalion's accomplishments during its deployment to Iraq. It was a real opportunity to see first hand what great work 2/11 had been doing for 13 months during their extended tour of duty. Work included rebuilding infrastructures of area cities, rebuilding universities and schools, supporting community leaders, connecting with local organizations and youth groups, and assisting with the establishment of local govermental proceses and structure.
Picture: Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Vice Chair Bob Liittschwager, Chief Dave Maggard, Chair Brittany Hale, 2/11 CO Bradley Hall, Mayor Sukhee Kang, 2/11 Sergeant Major Scott Pile, and 2/11 Captain Angel Torres.
Welcome Home Package project
In mid-February 2009, 150 2/11 Marines returned from Iraq and the committee and the community collected items for “welcome home” packages". These packages were assembled and placed on bunks of individual Marines, many of whom return to empty barracks since their families are in locations outside of California.
Handmade Quilt Raffle
The winning ticket was pulled on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at the Irvine Civic Center. The happy winner was Bob Allen. Bob has been a donor and volunteer who has lived in Irvine for 24 years and served in the US Air Force. Sponsored by Irvine’s 2/11 Adoption Committee, the Americana "Fourth of July" Quilt Raffle, raise $3500 to support the 2/11 holiday party. The quilt was designed and named by Irvine resident Yoshi Oster, the handmade quilt is 41 x 64 inches or roughly the size of a twin blanket, with a red, white and blue motif. 
Toy Drive and 2/11 Holiday PartyThe Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee concluded the 2008 2/11 Toy Drive for the families of our adopted Camp Pendleton Marine battalion with an abundance of toys. The Committee in coordination with the City of Irvine, William Hezmalhalch Architects, and Braun Corporation, collected more than 350 toys, including Barbies, electronic cars, rock star guitars, personal DVD players, books and movies, stuffed animals, and a girls “My Pony” bike. Santa dispersed the toys at a special holiday party at Lakeview Senior Center.
About 400 Marines, family members and guests attended, including Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang and Councilmember Beth Krom. The attendees enjoyed a Christmas dinner provided by Lucca Cafe, while the kids played in the kids’ game room and watched “Frosty the Snowman.” Drinks were donated by Monster Beverage Company, Starbucks, and Trader Joes. A wonderful holiday and patriotic show was provided by Julie Giordano and Provoce Studio.
The Committee gave out movie tickets and donated Stussy wallets to all the Marines and teens who were not involved with the gifts Santa was giving out, while the wives received handmade bracelets. Single Marines who were not as involved with the family activities enjoyed billiards, ping-pong, cards and games. The larger donated items, such as a fully decorated tree, DVD players, and games were raffled off. The Committee raised over $6500 raised in cash and hundreds of dollars in in-kind donations.
The Committee was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Irvine community and wishes to thank all of the individuals and businesses who donated or provided volunteer support, contributing to the success of the holiday party. Click on the link to see the list of contributors.
Car Wash Fundraiser
On Saturday, June 7, 2008 the Irvine community came out to support the 2/11 Marines and get their car washed. The 2/11 Committee volunteers worked with the Marines and the Irvine High School football team who worked hard on close to 300 cars. The fundraising effort was a huge success and the Committee is looking forward to putting on more car washes.
Albertsons Care Package Drive
Volunteers from the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee, in coordination with Irvine Albertsons, collected contributions for care packages to be mailed to members of the 2/11 Marines deployed in Iraq. The Commitee volunteers sorted, packaged, labeled, and shipped 80 boxes to Iraq on June 12, 2008. Pre-deployment Family Day Event The Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee organized a Pre-deployment Family Day event for Marines and Sailors who were scheduled to deploy to Iraq in early 2008. The event took place on Saturday, January 12, 2008, at Boomers in Irvine. More than 450 Marines, families and guests enjoyed the day which included games, rides, food, and raffle prizes. The Family Day event was entirely funded by generous contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses. These donations helped make this a special day for the military service members and their families. The 2/11 Commanding Officer thanked the Irvine Community for their support and generosity. |
