VFW's Golf Classic Salutes Veterans, Raises Funds for Vet Programs

For the fourth year, Joe Arzate and the Golf Tournament Committee with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 8547 in Moreno Valley threw the VFW Annual Salute to Veterans Golf Classic to help the community’s veterans. “[The] event is to help provide the VFW post with revenue for the programs we run throughout the year. We help those [veterans] by having the funds available to assist [them] in times of emergency. Also we help with community projects that we are involved in such as sports and other programs like High School R.O.T.C.,” said Arzate. This year the event was held Aug. 2 at General Old Golf Course and began at 11 a.m. Tickets were $75 and included a golf cart, bucket of balls and steak dinner at the VFW Post following the tournament. All proceeds went to continuing support of community and VFW programs. With the support of the participants, they helped ensure the continuity of these programs. The event’s sponsors included Moreno Valley’s Big Guys Pizza and Pasta, Memorial Honor Detail Team #52, and Riverside’s Show Time Mobile DJ service, to name a few. Each year all these businesses donate money in hopes of continuing the golf classic tradition. All sponsors make a commitment to help with the veterans and community in need. “This event is a tribute to the veterans that have sacrificed so much for our freedom. A lot of people have shown up to support and we could not be any happier. We just are glad to help in any way,” said VFW post member Warren Peterson. “I felt that I have the ability and the desire to help the post do all they could to have the funds to provide for the programs we do all year,” said Arzate. “I am not the creator of the golf classic. There are many organizations such as high schools, soft ball leagues, churches and many programs that provide assistance. I feel that our program is one of the most important ones because we our helping our brothers—our veterans—and their families in time of need. I just hope that each year we can help a little more than last year with the community support and sponsorship I receive from organizations. We have been successful,” said Arzate. The event lasted all day and late into the evening. The event included 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for long drive and putting contests, as well as a contest for best ball and select format. The raffle prizes included a $50 gift certificate for Costco, $25 gas card for any Arco station, and more.