2019 Sunday Night Gala and Golf Classic
The 2019 Sunday Night Gala and Golf Classic, our 13th annual, raised more than $430,000 to support MVAT Foundation programs for veterans and their families. Taking place on Sunday, August 18 and Monday, August 19, the MVAT Foundation’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year featured a panel of five Medal of Honor recipients, incredible live and silent auctions as well as thrilling competition and fun on the golf course.
Since the MVAT Foundation’s beginning, these events have raised nearly $5 million for veteran support programming and services including our Heroes Linked program as well as partner programs supporting veteran and spouse workforce integration, rehabilitation, health and well being, and housing.
The Medal of Honor recipients—Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, Major General Pat Brady, Colonel Jack Jacobs, Specialist James McCloughan, and Master Sergeant Leroy Petry—represented the highest levels of personal valor from the battlefields of Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The panel discussion was a highlight of the Sunday Night Gala, held at the incomparable home of Dr. Frank Luntz. The stunning residence boasts one of the most compelling collections of Americana in the country.
Heroes Linked is the MVAT Foundation’s no-cost, national program for veterans and transitioning service members to gain career guidance and professional development support from private sector professionals.
Industry diverse and geographically dispersed, Heroes Linked’s network of volunteers share their time and career knowledge to inform and better prepare veterans for successful and fulfilling post-military careers. With more than 1,500 persons in the Heroes Linked network, MVAT is proud to be providing a needed service and opportunity for all those who serve.
The Los Angeles Police Department paid tribute to the tournament with a helicopter fly by at the Opening Ceremony.
Just before the end of the day, the winners of the golf tournament were announced and the drawing for the 2019 Australia and New Zealand Adventure travel package was held. Mr. Celso Villagomez of Visalia, California was the winner. Celso, who achieved the rank of sergeant, served in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2016 and was deployed on aircraft carriers and to Afghanistan from 2013-2014. He is active in the Visalia-based veteran support group A Combat Veterans Hope. Congratulations, Celso!
The MVAT Foundation would like to extend its deep appreciation to our incredible volunteers, without whom the tournament and its great success for our veterans would not be possible. Thank you to everyone who participated. Your assistance allows the MVAT Foundation to carry out our Heroes Linked program and our other endeavors to assist veterans and their families.
2019 Opening Ceremony of the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
MVAT Board Member Corinne Goodman with attending combat veterans at the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant Leroy Petry, USA (ret.) at the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
Past MVAT Chair Don Schwarz, U.S. Army veteran Kate Migliaro of Apollo Global Management Inc., Entertainment Executive Lani Crooks, and MVAT Advisor Lieutenant General Nick Kehoe, USAF (ret.) at the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Gen. Pat Brady, USA (ret.) with Col. Darryl Hensley, USA (ret.) at the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
(left to right) Jerry Conn, Current MVAT Chairman Doug Berl, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, USA (ret.), and Maj. Gen. Jon Gallinetti, USMC (ret.), a member of the MVAT Board of Advisors at the 2019 MVAT Golf Classic.
Special gratitude is also expressed to our 2019 sponsors:
Tournament Sponsor
Candice Appleton
American Golf Corporation
American Legion Palisades Post 283
Clint Eastwood
RIX Industries
Larry Schnadig
Gala Dinner Sponsor
Gary Sinise Foundation
Frank Luntz
RBC Wealth Management
The Tailored Portfolio Management Group at RBC Wealth Management
Platinum Sponsor
Howard Bernstein
Scorpion Internet Marketing
Tournament Lunch Sponsor
Yonezawa-Miller Co., LLC
Gold Sponsor
Down Under Endeavours
Laraine Gerber
Shelby Notkin
Crystie and Tom Rooney
Dale and Dennis Weiss
Layne Yonehiro
Silver Sponsor
Econ One Research
Elbit Systems of America
Monte Herring
Joselow Foundation
Christopher Laquer
Rupert Perry
David Price/American Airports
Nicole Segal, in Honor of Dick Gold
Tee Sponsor
Anonymous
AUSA Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Marlene and Ron Benkoe
Big Horse Feed & Mercantile/Rose Corona
Bishop Family Foundation
Mike and Adrienne Blackman
Brad Jones
David Justman
Marvin Test Solutions
Stern Family Foundation
Welch & Co. Accountancy Corp.