Eleven-year NFL vet and Gilroy native Jeff Garcia is returning
to South County to host a charity bowling event put on by his Pass
It On Foundation that will benefit Community Solutions, a nonprofit
organization based in Morgan Hill, with offices in Gilroy, San Jose
and Hollister.
The event is scheduled for Feb. 26 and is open to all ages. The
proceeds will go directly to the domestic violence chapter of
Community Solutions.
GILROY
Eleven-year NFL vet and Gilroy native Jeff Garcia is returning to South County to host a charity bowling event put on by his Pass It On Foundation that will benefit Community Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Morgan Hill, with offices in Gilroy, San Jose and Hollister.
The event is scheduled for Feb. 26 and is open to all ages. The proceeds will go directly to the domestic violence chapter of Community Solutions.
“All of it is associated with how we feel in our heart toward a certain charity or maybe there is a connection in some way,” said Garcia, a Gilroy High, Gavilan College and San Jose State alum.
“I think Community Solutions became a benefactor of this event due to the fact I am from Gilroy and looking at services that reach out to help families in need, whether it’s domestic violence with women and children or the lack of being able to survive on a daily basis. That’s how we ended up choosing this group.”
The Garcia Pass It On Foundation, established by Garcia and his wife Carmella in 2007, aims at giving back valuable resources to areas which otherwise struggle to obtain basic necessities.
According to the event’s press release, 600 women sought help for domestic violence issues in South County last year.
“There isn’t really any one thing that led us to the domestic violence chapter,” Garcia said. “More so than anything, especially in this economy, when you look at the struggle in relationships and the negative outcomes that take place — domestic violence, homelessness and children being put out on the street without a roof over their head — I think that was something we saw as an important aspect to be supportive of.
“There is just not as much funding from the state as there used to be,” Garcia added. “This is one area that we felt like we could give back a little bit. It may not be enough, but I think they are very appreciative of what we are looking to do for them.”
This is the third annual bowling event hosted by Garcia; the previous two were held in Tampa Bay where Garcia said the proceeds went to local organizations in that area.
“It was something that was always important to me,” the four-time NFL Pro Bowler said of his attitude and willingness to donate his time and resources.
“Growing up in a largely based Hispanic community like Gilroy, being able to help those in need whether it was through generating funds for youth centers or giving scholarship opportunities to Hispanic kids, those things have always been very important to me.
“For me to give back to the community that I grew up in, and to be able to utilize what I’ve been able to obtain throughout my career and the dreams and goals that I have reached to create awareness and financial growth for different groups, it is the least I could do especially in these times.”
This year’s fundraiser will take place at Morgan Hill Bowl located at 650 Tennant Station. The cost is $825 per team and each team will have six players, with every player bowling two games.
Each player will receive food, beverage and a gift bag, all included in the price. Tickets are available for non-bowlers for $60 pre-sale and $75 at the door.
More information and a registration form can be found at www.garciapassiton.com or by calling (440) 250-2104.
“I plan on asking some of the guys from the Niners and the Raiders to attend,” Garcia said. “I’m looking forward to getting back and giving back.”
