San Manuel Golf Tournament Raises Over $200,000 for Three Charities

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SAN BERNARDINO – The representatives of three nonprofit organizations were ecstatic, some even in tears, following the 2-day San Manuel Tournament on July 19th and 20th. The event was hosted by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

The event began bright and early on Wednesday, July 19th with golfers representing businesses, Indian tribes, and sports teams. The three charities selected this year, Running Strong for American Indian Youth, Shoes That Fit, and High Desert Homeless Services.

Running Strong for American Indian Youth is a Virginia-based organization that helps American Indian people meet their immediate needs while creating opportunities for self-sufficiency and self-esteem in American Indian Youth.

Shoes that Fit is a Claremont, California-based organization provides shoes to children in need. The organization fits the child for proper sizing and provides them with brand new athletic shoes to in their words, “tackle a visible sign of poverty”.

High Desert Homeless Services is a Victorville homeless shelter that provides shelter, food, clothing and personal care items to over 500 clients each year. Clients include men, women, and children who have been displaced due to a loss of employment, natural disaster, or one of many other, often unique circumstances. Training and resources are provided in order to give clients the best opportunities to gain and maintain permanent housing and/or employment.

The event took place at Pelican Hills Golf Club in Newport Beach, which features two golf courses. The golf courses include ponds, beautiful beach views, and equally exquisite amenities. Both days golfers were provided with a continental breakfast which included various pastries, teas, orange juice, and coffee. Golfers were also provided with several lunch choices, snacks, and drinks throughout each course. The three charities had representatives with booths at a hole, where they could provide additional information about their charity to golfers.

On the first day golfers split into two groups, some golfing on the north course and some golfing on the south course. The second day golfers shared a single course. Following each day of golf, a delicious dinner with dessert was provided. Golfers were able to purchase raffle tickets throughout the golfing event for their chance to win one of the multiple prizes, including big screen televisions, speaker systems, cameras, sporting event tickets, golf equipment, and even a MacBook Air.

Each charity was able to speak at the dinner and provide information about the charity they represented as they were presented with a check. The event ultimately made over $200,000, which was split among the three charities. “A hallmark of both our business and traditional cultures is a call to build upon our relationships to make the most of each and every opportunity,” San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena said.

“We plan to show San Manuel that what they did for us was more than just give us money,” said High Desert Homeless Services Executive Director Jimmy Waldron. “What they did is a life changer for our clients.”

San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor Lovingood said that San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’ also recently granted $146,211 to the Victor Valley College Foundation to help enhance emergency responder training provided at the Victor Valley College Regional Public Safety Training Center.