Morongo’s Annual Golf Tournament Raises $60,000 for Pass Children

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of The Morongo Band of Mission Indians:

Hundreds of golfers roamed the fairways for charity on Monday at Morongo’s 18th annual golf tournament, which raised $60,000 for new backpacks, school supplies, hoodies and shoes for 800 low-income children in the San Gorgonio Pass.

Since debuting in 1997, the Morongo Charity Golf Tournament has collected more than $1 million for dozens of local and regional nonprofits that provide services and support to military veterans, children, schools and hospitals.

“Morongo has a long history of helping those in need, and we’re happy to have been able to sponsor this event for nearly two decades now,” said event chairman Damon Sandoval, a Morongo Tribal Council member. “The donations make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of people each year.”

Hosted by the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, the 2014 tournament attracted nearly 375 golfers to the lush Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon on Monday, June 9.

“We’re pleased and humbled that so many players and sponsors teamed up with Morongo again this year to make our Charity Golf Tournament a rousing success,” Sandoval said.

The 2014 Morongo Charity Golf Tournament raised $60,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, which serves hundreds of children daily. Funds from Monday’s golf tournament will be used to provide 800 kindergarten through seventh-grade students with backpacks full of school supplies, plus new shoes and hoodies, at the start of the 2014-15 school year.

Amy Herr, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the San Gorgonio Pass, said the golf tournament donation is a tremendous help to many local families.

“We work with a lot of folks who are struggling to make ends meet,” Herr said. “This money enables their children to start the school year with new shoes, hoodies, backpacks and classroom supplies. It’s truly a blessing, and we’re grateful for Morongo’s generosity.”

The Morongo Charity Golf Tournament is one of several annual community events conducted by the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. In keeping with the tribe’s longstanding tradition of giving, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians has donated more than $5 million to hundreds of local and national nonprofit organizations and charities during the last five years.