![valeroteamW](https://www.sunnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/valeroteamW.jpg)
Valero Refinery raised $35,000 for the US Vets of Long Beach at the 19th Annual Surf For Vets Surfing Competition, held south of the Huntington Beach Pier on August 19th.
The competition included five teams of at least four members of the Valero family, according to Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, director of Community Relations/Government Affairs at Valero Wilmington Refinery.
There were 100 employees, friends and family that attended the event. One of the surfers was Jennifer Winter Joiner, executive director of the US Vets Long Beach, who said her group provides supportive services, including transitional and permanent housing and employment for military veterans. “Our motto is ‘Serving Those Who Served.’ We have the largest woman’s veteran program in the country. Our 27-acre site benefits 800 veterans daily.”
“Valero is a proud partner of the US Vets Long Beach,” said Sotelo-Vargas. “Our longtime partnership with the veterans reflects our appreciation and commitment to those who have made great sacrifices for our country. Additionally, the Surf for Vets Competition provides an opportunity for our volunteers to engage in a beach clean-up, tying our passion for environmental sustainability and community investment all into one event.”
“We believe in giving back to the community not only through investment, commitment and time, but most importantly as a corporate partner because we know when we are engaged and active in our community, we are saying that we believe in you.”