The idea for the effort came from an all-volunteer Vienna-based group representing different organizations. Among the 25 or so participants in Wednesday's event was a Polish family of four who had been visiting the beach and asked to be allowed to join in.
Lidiia Zamaraieva is focusing her efforts on war relief efforts in her native country. When she saw a Newport Beach church flying a banner with the words "Pray for Ukraine," she brought the congregation a cake.