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2014 DAY AT THE RACES REALLY WOWS FANS! The horses are at the gate, and they’re off. Another Day at the Races for the Boys of Belvedere has kicked off. Under the clear blue skies of Arcadia with the San Gabriel Mountains in our background and palm trees staying as cool breezes gently grazed our foreheads, another event went as smooth and as successful as the horses who crossed the finish line that day. The day was a blessed surprise as it was neither hot nor cold but just a perfect for racing. We had record attendance as the word got out that we were have our Day At The Races again. We managed to raise a lot of money for the scholarships as every members worked hard at cooking burgers or setting up displays or selling raffle tickets. This was truly a team effort and one of the best things that came out of this event was we picked up two new members who, after attending several of our other events, decided to become one of us. Gil Carrillo, celebrated homicide detective for the LA Sheriff Department, now retired, and recent Iraq war veteran Dan Ortiz stepped forward and pledged their allegiance to our club. We could use the help as our events are getting bigger and more members bring new ideas and inspiration to our club. Our meal of the day was hamburgers and hot dogs with lots of salads to go with them and dessert consisted of homemade cupcakes and pan dulce.  Drinks included ice cold water and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.  As always, our raffles brought in many great gifts donated or bought by our club and made up of almost half of our profit for the day. Weekend stays at casinos, an iPad, a full body spa afternoon and various Lakers, Dodgers and USC gifts were the main prizes along with some beer mirrors and lamps for the “man cave”. Much of the success had to go to chairmen Jerry Gandara and Rodger Mosqueda for their tireless efforts of planning every move and seeing to it becoming a reality.  Of course, a lot of credit goes to the rest of the Boys of Belvedere for selling all the tickets we had and bringing in the generous friends to share this day of fun and merriment. As the day progressed, the realization that the next Day At The Races would be even more successful when we saw how many of our attendees were repeat clientele and have promised to return again.

BELOVED BOYS STRIKE A BLOW FOR THE HIGH SCHOOLERS It was only estimated to bring in about 300 people to the Annual 2014 Valentine’s Dance to raise money for scholarships by a group of veteran alumni who do this at least twice a year. The Boys of Belvedere are always finding ways to give back to their communities and this was no different. It was a great night for dancing, dining, listening to some great music and contributing a few dollars to win one of many prizes brought in for a big raffle. Simple, yet mysteriously successful. Montebello’s Quiet Cannon Hall was able to accommodate the over 500 people who attended the evening’s dais of music by the popular band, Cold Duck and the ever famous mariachi group, Guadalajara. Enough money was brought in to pay for 10 scholarships. Thanks to The generous patrons gave back in donations, raffle tickets and auctions. The Amazing Dozen is what they call the Boys of Belvedere. The group is made up of all Garfield High School graduates from the 60’s except for one who graduated in 1980. He, Rodger Mosqueda, is also the only member who is not a Vietnam veteran. President Eddie Preciado, a Marine combat veteran said, “We are all fortunate to return to the neighborhood alive, live our lives normally and blessed to retire in one piece. Of course we’ll return to give back to our community to those who could really use a hand up, a hand we didn’t get when we graduated from high school”. A very special announcement was made at the dance that surprised everyone.  Effective this year, we will now start giving our old nemesis Roosevelt High School scholarships from the Boys of Belvedere. “This came about because of the support we have been getting from Roosevelt Alumni at our events” said Preciado.  It also came along because of the success in our fundraising. The rivalry is a very amicable one. We are all brothers in the same communities.” He added.