Beneficiaries receive funds raised from GFA Charity Golf Tournament

[October 7, 2025 – Harmon, Guam] Three beneficiaries received financial donations from Guam Football Association with funds raised during the GFA 50^th Anniversary Charity Golf Tournament “The Golden Drive” held Sept. 13 at the LeoPalace Guam Resort.

“In our 50^th Anniversary year, we wanted to further recognize the contributions made by various organizations that support our local community by donating funds to help them in their activities, like us at GFA,” said Valentino San Gil, GFA President. “Through ‘The Golden Drive’, our charity golf tournament, we were able to raise $10,000 to distribute to the Guam National Scholarship Fund, GY671, and Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO). Through the golf tournament, it was a great event to partner with these important organizations and also to learn more about their missions, finding ways to help each other.

“In addition to recognizing these organizations, I’d also like to thank all of the generous golf tournament sponsors and players who all contributed in making the event a success for all involved,” added San Gil.

Check presentations for the three beneficiaries were held at the GFA National Training Center Lecture Hall Tuesday afternoon.

“On behalf of GY671, I would like to thank GFA for the opportunity to partner together and partake in last month’s golf tournament,” said Roy Gamboa, GY671 President. “All the funds we receive will go a long way in helping our veterans, from helping our homeless veterans, our veterans who are trying to make ends meet, to replenishing our food and clothing pantry to assist our veterans and their families, among other avenues.

“Our motto is ‘you are not alone’ and through these partnerships, we are able to fulfill that. This contribution and the partnership with GFA means a whole lot to us,” Gamboa added.

GY671 received $3,000 from funds raised during GFA’s charity golf tournament. According to GY671’s Web site, the organization is “dedicated to supporting Veterans facing challenges with the transition from military life to a civilian lifestyle. (GY671) provides services and activities that encourage positive mental health and a good support system. (GY671’s) mission is to provide a safe space for healing and recover through community-driven initiatives. More information about the organization is available online at https://gotyour671.com/

Victim Advocates Reaching Out (VARO), another partner organization with GFA over the years, received $2,000.

“Thank you GFA for allowing us to be part of your 50^th Anniversary, your social responsibility efforts, and partnering with us in your events that help keep us at the forefront of awareness in the community,” said Jon Mendiola, VARO Public Information Officer. “We thank GFA so much for the support over the years.”

GFA also has assisted VARO in donation drives for basic necessity items and also in its “Penny Wars” fundraising contest during the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League, among other events.

According to the VARO Web site, the organization is a non-profit volunteer corporation that provides services to victims and families of domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, violent crime, and traumatic events. VARO also provides outreach programs and education on the dynamics of violence to the larger community. To learn more about VARO, visit https://varoguam.org/

The remaining $5,000 in funds raised during the golf tournament added to scholarship funding reserved for deserving football athletes looking to continue with higher education past high school. In two years, GFA has raised over $30,000 in scholarship funds to assist high school graduates and college students through generous donors. To learn more about the GFA National Scholarship Fund, visit https://guamfa.com/gfa-programs/scholarships/

In the Sept. 13 golf tournament, the top three teams received trophies from GFA and prizes from tournament sponsors. The duo of Mike Castro and Derrick Santos won first place, followed by the team of Curtis Vandeveld and Brennan Vandeveld. The tandem of Joseph Opilla and Francis Bernal finished in third place.