LI Businesses Create 'Pizzeria Short' To Benefit Veteran Housing

BAY SHORE, NY — Two Long Island businesses are teaming up to get you into the water this summer — while also supporting local veterans.

Lacrosse Unlimited, the world's largest lacrosse supply and gear chain, and The Pizzeria officially launched the sale of the “Swim Dodge Pizzeria Short” on Tuesday, with proceeds going towards veteran's home, United Veterans Beacon House.

Cliff Weinstein, co-owner of The Pizzeria, and Rob Rimmer, vice president of brand and creative director of Lacrosse Unlimited, have been friends since high school, they told Patch.

"We've always been talking about doing a collaboration on something that benefits a charity," said Weinstein.

United Veterans Beacon House is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency, temporary and permanent housing, and specialized services to veterans in need. It currently has 52 housing locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, providing a haven to more than 550 veteran residents each year.

Weinstein said that he learned about the charity when The Pizzeria opened its fourth location in Bay Shore.

"When I asked around town, when I asked what's a good cause, so many people said Beacon House, who proudly provide housing for our nation's veterans," he said. "So that felt right to us."
Lacrosse Unlimited then created the pizza-themed swim shorts.

"We don't have the expertise to directly lend a hand to those individuals who have sacrificed so much for us," said Rimmer. "But we do have the opportunity to donate to those who can help, and The Beacon House is the perfect outlet to do that."

Each pair of shorts cost $39.99, and $5 from each purchase will benefit The Beacon House. Rimmer told Patch that 600 pairs of shorts are currently in stock.

Weinstein said that he and his team at Bay Shore The Pizzeria already own pairs.

"We've been wearing them all week in our stores and people are getting a kick out of them," he said. "They're super comfortable. They're just like a like a lifestyle short, so you could swim with them or just wear them as daily shorts."

Anyone who purchases the shorts will also receive a free slice of pizza at any The Pizzeria locations and must show their receipt.

With a welcoming community like Bay Shore, Weinstein said, it's easy to be charitable and to give back.

"When we think about philanthropy and charities, we want to support the communities that support us," he said. "At each each of our locations, they've (the communities) afforded us the ability to continue to scale this brand and open four locations in 18 months. So any chance we have any chance we have to give back, we take that opportunity."

The Pizzeria plans to open a fifth location in Lindenhurst in late 2022.

To learn more about The Beacon House, click here.

To purchase Swim Dodge Pizzeria Shorts, click here.