Produce industry representatives participating in the 10th Sunripe Golf Classic helped generate $80,000 for migrant worker student teacher education.
Proceeds from the April 18 tournament support the Sunripe Migrant Scholarship Fund endowment at the Tampa-based University of South Florida College of Education.
“While the stock market has hurt some of the endowment, this scholarship is still important as it gives students a full ride,” said Billy Heller, chief executive officer of co-sponsor Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd., Palmetto.
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                                                          Doug Ohlemeier
Nathan Esformes, co-owner of Pacific Tomato Growers Ltd., Palmetto, Fla., right, talks with students in the Tampa-based University of South Florida College of Education’s migrant education program during the Sunripe Golf Classic April 18 in Bradenton, Fla. |
The endowment — which had reached $1.4 million before last fall’s stock market crash — has $1.2 million to fund the program for migrant worker students who attend college to become teachers.
In thanking the 144 golfers that participated, Sintia Baltazar, a December graduate who teaches fourth graders in Wimauma, Fla., said she has worked in the fields with her parents.
“Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t be here,” she said. “I’m young and I’m motivated. I want to teach young and motivated students. I want to give back to the kids where I’m from.”
So far, the benefit has supported 40 students in migrant education program. Of those, 27 have graduated and are teaching students. Two are scheduled to graduate in December and another two next year expect to graduate in 2010, said Colleen Kennedy, dean of the education college.
Pacific Tomato co-owner Nathan Esformes said the event shows the industry’s recognition of its farmworker contributions.
“We think we’re important, but the school is what’s important,” he said. “Without their (the farmworkers’) service, what good is our money? Their desire to do something with their life and move out from where they are gives us the desire to help.”
The families that own Pacific Tomato, Pacific Collier Fresh Co., Immokalee, Heller Bros. Packing Corp., Winter Garden, and Pacific Triple E Produce Corp., Tracy, Calif., the tournament’s other sponsors, pay for the tournament’s expenses. All of the contributions fund the charitable program.
The tournament, which was also co-sponsored by companies including Georgia-Pacific Corp., Atlanta; Temple-Inland Inc., Austin, Texas; Catalytic Generators LLC, Norfolk, Va.; Famous Software LLC, Fresno, Calif.; and the Florida Tomato Exchange, Maitland; was at the Legacy Golf Club.