Image of last year’s winners, Jannay Lima and Carlos Cerna, courtesy of John Newell.

The Imperial Court of Long Beach and AIDS Food Store Long Beach are currently seeking participants for the King and Queen of Hearts Fundraising Contest to raise funds for local Long Beach nonprofits, including the AIDS Food Store itself. Candidates have three weeks to raise as much money as possible, in any way possible, with each dollar raised to be counted as a vote for the contestant.

According to AIDS Food Store President John Newell, one very enthusiastic fundraiser during last year’s contest allowed his donors to vote on what color he would dye his beard. The participant kept his word and showed up to the finale bewhiskered in a blue. Essentially the contest is an easy way to give back to the Long Beach community while having a good time, too.

“This is a unique fundraising contest that allows the contestants to be creative with when, where and how they raise their money,” said Newell.

Over the past three years, AIDS Food Store has raised $15,000, while this is the second year the nonprofit has been the recipient of the event. The funds raised this year will go toward the purchase of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats for the nonprofit’s clients living with HIV.

The King and Queen of Hearts will be crowned on Saturday, February 13 at Hamburger Mary’s on Pine Avenue. However, a meet-and-greet is just around the corner on Sunday, January 24 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM, also at Hamburger Mary’s.

Interested contestants are asked to contact Sabreena at 562.500.1006. For more information about the Long Beach Imperial Court, visit the Facebook page here. For more info about AIDS Food Store Long Beach, click here.

Hamburger Mary’s is located at 330 Pine Avenue.

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