Second annual Rocking Our Troops fundraiser packs out the Leif for a good cause

Earlier this month, the second annual fundraiser for Staten Island Fleet Week — “Rocking Our Troops” — rocked the Leif Bar for a good cause.

The event kicked off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 10 with Bay Ridge local minstrel and songwriter John Raferty, and featured a plentiful line-up of local musical acts, food, prizes and raffles.

All proceeds — including a $15 donation at the door — went towards funding the Rockin’ Our Troops Music Festival, held each Memorial Day weekend at the Sullivans Pier in Staten Island with help from Bay Ridge resident and the event’s Entertainment Director Tony Ieva.

An over-30-year-old non-profit, Staten Island Fleet Week Inc., provides scholarships to local students and community service for veterans and is a huge part of bringing the U.S. Navy to the Sullivans Pier, Homeport – a 35-acre decommissioned U.S. Naval Base on the north shore of Staten Island.

Other local bands and acts included Whipperwill, Sha Doobie, Mike Riddle, Back Trax, Cherry Bomb and London Fogg. Local establishments including Schnitzel Haus, Hunter’s Steak & Ale House, Greenhouse Café, Dyker Bagels, BurgerFi, Staten Islands’ Top Tomato, Johnny’s Pizza and Elegante Pizza participated by donating either food or raffle prizes to the all-day affair.

For more information visit www.sifleetweek.com.