FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lori Murray – 201 518-8154 or lori@jallmedia.com
Drink for Dave Fundraiser Returns September 26 to Honor the Life and Legacy of Sgt. David Solinas Jr.
Annual events bring family, friends and the community together to remember a young soldier who dedicated his life to serving others
MONTVALE, N.J. August 12, 2026 — The annual Drink for Dave Fundraiser will return on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Hearth & Tap in Montvale, bringing family, friends and members of the community together to celebrate the life and legacy of Sgt. David Solinas Jr.
David Solinas was just 23 years old when he lost his life while serving his country. A native of Oradell and graduate of River Dell High School, David was an Eagle Scout, athlete, teammate, son, brother and friend whose commitment to helping others was evident throughout his life.
David enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2018 and served as a combat medic with the 82nd Airborne Division before becoming a flight paramedic with the 101st Airborne Division. His decision to serve reflected the character that defined him: a willingness to put others before himself and to be there when people needed help most.
On March 29, 2023, Sgt. Solinas and eight other soldiers were killed when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a training mission at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
David's life was tragically cut short, but his commitment to service did not end with his passing.
The Drink for Dave Fundraiser was created to make sure David's legacy of service continues to make a difference. All proceeds from the event benefit the Sgt. David Solinas Jr. Memorial Fund, a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
The Memorial Fund has two primary missions:
- Four annual River Dell High School scholarships, helping deserving students continue their education while carrying forward David's commitment to service and community.
- The David's House project, which will provide families with a place to stay and gather as they lay their loved ones to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
For David's family and friends, Drink for Dave is much more than a fundraiser. It is a way to remember David for the person he was and the life he lived — and to turn the profound loss of a young man who dedicated himself to others into an ongoing source of help for future generations.
“David spent his life serving others, and Drink for Dave gives our community a way to continue that mission in his name. Every ticket purchased and every dollar raised helps keep David’s spirit of service alive,” said his mother, Ellen Solinas. “We could not be prouder of our son and our local hero. His legacy of service continues to inspire us every day, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helps us keep his memory and his mission alive.”
The event will feature food, drinks, live music and an opportunity for everyone who knew and loved David — as well as those who never had the chance to meet him — to come together in his memory.
2026 Drink for Dave Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Hearth & Tap
Address: 125 N. Kinderkamack Road, Montvale, NJ 07645
Ticket: $100 per person
Beneficiary: Sgt. David Solinas Jr. Memorial Fund
A $100 ticket includes unlimited beer, hard seltzer and soft drinks, burgers and sides, a pig roast, a commemorative 10-ounce glass and live music. 100% of proceeds benefit the Sgt. David Solinas Jr. Memorial Fund.
Tickets & Registration
Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online through the official Drink for Dave registration page:
Register for the 2026 Drink for Dave Fundraiser
The Memorial Fund is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, and every ticket purchased helps support scholarships for River Dell students and the David's House project.
Come raise a glass, share a memory and help carry David's legacy of service forward.
About Sgt. David Solinas Jr.
Sgt. David Solinas Jr. was a 23-year-old U.S. Army soldier from Oradell, New Jersey. A River Dell High School graduate and Eagle Scout, David dedicated himself to his family, community and country. He served as a combat medic and flight paramedic with the U.S. Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. David was killed in a training accident at Fort Campbell on March 29, 2023.
While his life was far too short, the values he lived by — service, compassion, courage and a commitment to helping others — continue through the work of the Sgt. David Solinas Jr. Memorial Fund.
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