Pechanga Indian Reservation, CA, May 3, 2018 – Pechanga hosted its annual two-day charity golf tournament that raised $125,000 for Our Nicholas Foundation, Voices for Children, Team Rubicon, Wounded Warrior Project, and Loma Linda University Medical Center Murrieta. The Pechanga Charity Golf Classic was held at the Journey at Pechanga golf course May 2 and 3 and included over 360 golfers. The proceeds from the tournament fund vital programs serving the community at five local non-profit organizations.
Celebrating its 20th year, the Pechanga Charity Golf Classic brought together tribal government and Indian gaming industry leaders to raise over $1.3 million for vital nonprofits throughout the region. The two-day event has grown to include more than 350 golfers each year and has featured notable sports athletes and celebrities.
“As we reflect on the past 20 years of this tournament, we can’t help but be amazed at the impact our friends and partners have made on thousands of people in need throughout Southern California,” said Edith Atwood, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “We’re also very excited that the tremendous success of this tournament is allowing us to add an additional beneficiary this year.”
Our Nicholas Foundation
Our Nicholas Foundation strives to increase autism awareness and provide support for education, work opportunities, therapies, families, and social programs that enrich the lives of children & adults with ASD. Our hope is that we will provide those on the spectrum and their families the tools they need to thrive.
“These important funds from the Pechanga Charity Golf Tournament will be applied to our assistive technology and work opportunity initiatives,” said Mark Anselmo, Founder and Executive Director of Our Nicholas Foundation.
Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) Murrieta
Loma Linda University Medical Center- Murrieta is a faith-based, non-profit medical center fully owned and operated by Loma Linda University Health. Opened in 2011, LLUMC-Murrieta is a full service acute care hospital with 111 licensed beds that is bringing high quality, advanced care to the region.
“Funds generously raised by Pechanga will directly support our most recent addition to the services we offer: our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, including six private rooms for parents to stay overnight, a unique feature that is not currently offered by providers in the Temecula Valley,” said Peter Baker, Senior Vice President/Administrator LLUMC-Murrieta.
Voices for Children, Riverside County
Voices for Children recruits, trains, and supports volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to speak up for abused and neglected children living in foster care. This funding will make it possible for one of VFC’s professional Advocacy Supervisors to support 12 CASA volunteers for a year, providing them with resources and expertise on the child welfare system. Under the guidance of their supervisor, each CASA provides one-on-one advocacy to a child or siblings in crisis.
Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events. Everyone’s recovery process is different; WWP aims to provide programs that fit each veteran and their family’s needs.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve is an operating fund that supports veteran volunteers and their ability to respond to disaster, wherever and whenever they occur. This fund enabled Team Rubicon to deploy to Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico in wake of the hurricanes this fall. However, not all disasters gain national attention. Of the 250 deployments since their founding in 2010, most were considered “small” in scale but not to the people who were impacted.