A Night of Laughter Benefits Troops

On Feb. 5 the Unforgettables Foundation hosted a "Night of Laughter" to benefit grieving Veterans and their families who are or have dealt with funeral expenses associated with the loss of a child. The event was held in the music room at Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in downtown Riverside and included a dinner and entertainment by comedic legends Elayne Boosler, Lamont Ferguson, and Michael Rainer. Each of the comedians for the night donated their time and came to the event at no cost to the organization. The evening’s festivities began with a welcome from Co-Founder of the Unforgettables Foundation, Tim Evans and Honorary Host 67th District Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez. Assemblywoman Melendez, who served in the United States Navy for ten years as a Russian Translator, said, “Having served in the military, knowing how difficult it could be on families when tragedy strikes, knowing how little money many of our service members make, and knowing that the public assumes that the military takes care of everything, I jumped at the chance to be here tonight and help in any way I can." March Air Reserve Base Honor Detail presented the colors and Ken Hendrick sung the National Anthem. “I think it is really big for the community to come together for an event like this, for the simple fact that you never know how much help a family member needs even though they were in the military,” said Honor Detail Commander, Senior Airmen, Austin Coleman. “It’s great that this organization helps fund situations for loved ones that passed away, to be able to help with their mortuary and funeral costs. I think that’s a great opportunity for that.” Lamont Ferguson, a San Diego native who has been in the entertainment field for 33 years and is an Emmy-nominated comedian who has appeared on Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central, as well as worked alongside George Carlin, Steve Harvey, and George Lopez, shared that after having grown up in a highly-concentrated military area, the event was especially exciting for him to attend. “This is something that is needed. As the public we don’t always see it as something that is automatically needed, but it is. This was something more than willing to come out to,” Ferguson said. “This shows a bond and respect, for the military and their families for what they give. We take it for granted, but for the community to come together like this shows that they know this is important. If word got out, I think more people would be willing to do whatever they could to help.” Michael Rayner brought together an act that included balancing shoes and a wheel barrel on his nose, jokes, juggling, and spinning a McDonalds burger on an umbrella. “This is awesome! It’s for a good cause and I am always wanting to help any good cause,” Rayner said. Elayne Boosler has been a comedian for over forty-three years. She is also a writer and the founder of Tails of Joy rescue organization. Boosler had toured the Middle East including Katar, Kuwait, and seven other stops. Additionally, she toured and performed in Africa. “It made me more conscious of the military and what it takes to serve,” said Boosler. “I was more open when I came back to looking for ways I could get a little more involved than just voting correctly and writing checks, sending them out but not knowing where they go.” Honorary Chair Virgal Woolfolk and Boosler had been friends for five years, and when she learned of his fundraising efforts for veterans, she contributed. That opened discussions for the event to occur. This is the first time the Unforgettables Foundation has hosted the Night of Laughter, and the board shares that they hope it will become a yearly event. “I love grassroots everything,” Boosler said. “This is grassroots enough for me to know that what we raised here tonight will go to what they say it will go to. Grassroots is the best when it is small and manageable. I know it will get big and unmanageable, but that will be good too.” Additionally, Boosler added it doesn’t cost a lot or take much to get involved, one could give as little as an hour a week volunteering. It is the little things like social media, grant writing, outreach, etc. just a matter of getting out and getting started. To Co-Founder of the Unforgettables Foundation, Tim Evans, the event showed the versatility and willingness of the organization's supporters to help those in times of crisis. "An unforgettable evening of laughter raised money to help veterans families through the generosity of Elaine Boosler and her friends. The three professional comedians.. Elayne Boosler, Lamont Ferguson, and Michael Rainer brought tears of laughter to our eyes and joy into our hearts. We can't say thank you enough," said Margie Miller of Grand Terrace who serves as a board member of the Unforgettable Foundation. “March is a very strong part of this community,” said Evans. “I think this shows that the Unforgettables is very committed to helping struggling families when they have lost a child with basic goodness and kindness. I think this event highlights a subset community which everyone loves, values their services and is grateful. It says we really want to focus on that in a time of stress and crisis the military families don’t have to worry about the finances for burying their child." For Boosler the night showcased the priorities of the community in what matters. “I am always touched when communities come together like this. It says so much about the priorities of the people who live here. Everyone gives lip service to the troops, because you have to. To actually walk the walk, which not only this organization does, but the community did tonight, is a very wonderful thing.”