“Dine on Pine,” the Conservation Corps of Long Beach’s annual fundraiser, is returning this June for the first time since 2019.

The event has been a “staple” in Long Beach over the past 25 years, explained Judith Carey, the Conservation Corps of Long Beach’s director of development.

“It ends up being a fun night of supporting our Corps members while having a great time in Long Beach as well, and enjoying some fantastic food,” Carey said.

As a progressive dinner, the night begins at Cafe Sevilla, which will serve as the event’s anchor, said Carey. There, guests can enjoy a Champagne reception as three award recipients are recognized.

Attendees will then split into three groups and rotate between Sevilla, George’s Greek Cafe and L’Opera, for an appetizer, a salad and then an entree, before everyone reconvenes at Sevilla for desserts and coffee.

A woman wearing a neon yellow vest, red construction hat and surgical face mask places a wooden support for a sapling in the ground.
The Conservation Corps of Long Beach handles projects from recycling to ensuring trees are nourished and learning core skills and using tools. Photo courtesy of Conservation Corps of Long Beach.

The three restaurants have participated in Dine on Pine for several years now, and each have curated a menu specific to the event, which typically draws a guest list of about 180—creating three groups of 60, Carey said.

“My favorite part of the event is seeing people come together to support young people and their desire to attain their goals,” Carey said. “To be able to obtain resources to help remove barriers to their success—to me, that’s the richest part of the event, is knowing we do have people that believe in our mission, and they believe in helping young people thrive,” Carey said.

Through the organization, Conservation Corps members, who are between the ages of 18 and 26, receive job training as well as support with education and other resources.

Some recent projects Corps members have participated in include working to develop an urban lumber yard, maintaining neighborhood recycling and unveiling an environmental education center in DeForest Park. This spring, participants will complete work on the Wrigley Greenbelt, and Corps members are also getting ready to continue work in collaboration with the Catalina Island Conservancy, and are continuing ongoing partnerships with several other agencies such as CalTrans, Carey said.

The proceeds of Dine on Pine will directly support Corps members, largely going toward scholarships as well as training and development needs, Carey said.

This year’s Dine on Pine also includes a presenting sponsor, Blue Shield of California, representing both a new level of sponsorship for the event as well as a new collaboration, Carey said. Other event sponsors include California Resources Corporation, TABC Toyota and Long Beach Airport, among others— but Carey noted that sponsorship opportunities are still available.

“The impact of Dine on Pine translates directly into providing support to our Corpsmembers that allows them to remove barriers they have faced in getting ahead in life,” said executive director Dan Knapp in an email. “We provide opportunities for all Corpsmembers and alumni to access annual scholarships that help them complete post-secondary education. Because each Corpsmember is individually case managed, staff also ensures that things like transportation, food, childcare and shelter is accessible to anyone in need.”

Dine on Pine is on Monday, June 26 at 5 p.m. The event begins at Sevilla Restaurant & Tapas Bar, 140 Pine Ave. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased here. More information about sponsoring the event can be found here.