Long Beach State Students Rally for Animal Welfare with Benefit Concert
The American Marketing Association (AMA) of CSULB hosted a successful benefit concert on November 7th, raising support and awareness for WAGS Pet Adoption, a local nonprofit dedicated to animal rescue.
The annual event, held at The Pointe Conference Center, showcased a diverse lineup of performers and underscored the commitment of CSULB students to community engagement. With 331 chapters nationally and a ranking within the top 15 in the nation, the AMA at CSULB consistently demonstrates its ability to bridge academic learning with real-world application.
AMA’s Commitment to Community Impact
For Lizbeth Ruano, a fourth-year marketing major and director of Agency 241, the concert represented a tangible expression of the connections fostered within the AMA. “We want to support the pups always and forever, so it’s super exciting to execute this today,” she stated. Ruano emphasized the team’s goal of not only securing financial contributions for WAGS but also expanding the organization’s visibility within the community.
WAGS Pet Adoption, based in Westminster, extends its services to Seal Beach and Stanton, providing care for approximately 3,000 animals annually. “We are a non-profit, so any resources we can get from the community – monetary or otherwise – is amazing,” explained Lisa Isbell, the dog foster coordinator for WAGS. Isbell highlighted the critical need for increased awareness, noting that many residents are unaware of WAGS’s existence.
A “High Save” Shelter’s Urgent Needs
WAGS operates as a “high save shelter,” prioritizing the lives of animals and refraining from euthanasia for space considerations. However, maintaining this commitment requires ongoing community support. “We need people in the community to come in and be willing to volunteer, foster dogs and cats so that we can continue working on that vision of saving every healthy animal,” Isbell urged.
The decision to partner with WAGS stemmed from a personal encounter experienced by Sabrina Chin, the third-year marketing major and AMA President. While interning with the CSULB athletics department, she met a couple with a German shepherd sporting an “Adopt me” vest. “We were searching high and wide for something that kind of felt right for us,” Chin recalled. This encounter sparked a deeper exploration of local animal shelters and their needs.
Chin, who began planning the event over the summer, expressed immense satisfaction in witnessing the positive response. “To see how much help we can give them and the hope in their eyes is really nice to see,” she said.
A Night of Diverse Performances
The benefit concert featured a dynamic range of talent, beginning with an energetic performance by the Glendale Dance Team and followed by smooth guitar melodies from Long Beach State student Aiden Banks. The band Boygrim, comprised of members Seth Taylor, Isaac Quiroz, Vincent Bombolo, and Jack Friedberg, drew a large crowd, captivating attendees with their original songs.
Swedish singer Sigge also contributed to the evening’s entertainment, performing his original compositions. Isaac Quiroz, a fourth-year sociology major and the lead singer of Boygrim, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity. “Dude, it’s Cal State Long Beach,” Quiroz exclaimed. “I’ve always wanted to play here.” He added, “I love animals, and to know that money from ticket sales is going to support that is a beautiful thing.”
Attendees enthusiastically embraced Boygrim’s performance, with many waving their hands and even forming a mosh pit during their set. The band concluded their performance with their song, “Cemetery Letters,” leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
Community Support Fuels the Mission
The concert resonated with animal lovers like Diego Diaz, who attended with a personal connection to the cause. As the owner of a dog named Nacho, Diaz found the event particularly meaningful. “It makes me feel good inside knowing that there’s opportunities for this to support and help dogs in need,” he shared.
The AMA’s benefit concert served as a powerful reminder of the impact that student-led initiatives can have on local communities and the vital role of organizations like WAGS Pet Adoption in providing care and finding loving homes for animals in need.
