The Paredes Family poses next to the Putting Contest, which they sponsored at HEAR Center’s 45th golf tournament. [Photos courtesy of HEAR Center]
Golf Chair Jacob Brennan of Sika Corporation prepares to tee off at the HEAR Center 45th annual golf tournament held at Red Hill Country Hill. [Photos courtesy of HEAR Center]
HEAR Center Board Chair Armida Baylon with Eileen Walker and Marilou Ladines, who also serves on the board, attend HEAR Center’s 45th annual golf tournament “May the Forth Be With You.” The event raised more than $110,000 for hearing and speech screenings in Los Angeles County. [Photos courtesy of HEAR Center]
Stars Flight first place winners Nick Langer, Bob Hawes, Adam Zeen, JJ Krukenkamp and Andrew Kramer celebrate at HEAR Center’s 45th Annual Golf Tournament held at Red Hill Country Club in May. [Photos courtesy of HEAR Center]
HEAR Center, a nonprofit community clinic offering hearing and speech services, raised more than $110,000 at its 45th annual golf tournament on May 4 at Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. Led by Golf Committee Chair Jacob Brennan, who represents Sika Corporation, the tournament’s title sponsor, the event brought together corporate, construction materials, and community partners to support free hearing and speech screenings across Los Angeles County.
This year’s tournament, themed “May the Foreth Be With You,” celebrated 45 years of generosity, legacy, and community impact. Guests enjoyed a day of golf, dinner, silent auction items, opportunity drawings, and mission-focused fundraising to support HEAR Center’s diagnostic hearing tests, community screenings, and speech and language therapy services.
“On behalf of Sika Corporation and the golf committee, thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s May the Foreth Be With You tournament such a success,” said Jacob Brennan, Golf Committee chair and sales representative for Sika Corporation. “This tournament has a special history, and each year, our sponsors, golfers, and industry partners continue to show up in a powerful way for HEAR Center and the people it serves.”
The annual golf tournament was founded in 1980 by concrete industry professionals Ruben Aman, Mal Gatherer, and Bill Donald, whose granddaughter with hearing loss became one of HEAR Center’s early “HEAR Angels.” What began as a meaningful effort to support one family and one community clinic has grown into one of HEAR Center’s most important fundraising traditions. Over its history, the tournament has raised more than $1,000,000 to support HEAR Center’s mission.
“For 45 years, this event has brought together leaders from the concrete, construction materials, and related industries to ensure that children, adults, and older adults have access to hearing and speech services that help them connect, communicate, and thrive,” said Armida Baylon, HEAR Center board chair. “We are deeply grateful to every sponsor, golfer, volunteer, auction donor, committee member, and guest who helped make this year’s tournament such a meaningful success.”
Funds raised through the tournament help HEAR Center provide diagnostic hearing tests, community screenings, and speech and language therapy for individuals who might otherwise go without care. Services reach people at every stage of life, including toddlers finding their first words, children preparing to succeed in school, adults communicating with confidence, and older adults staying connected to the people and moments they love.
“HEAR Center’s annual golf tournament is our signature event and made possible because of many committed companies, dedicated golfers, extraordinary volunteers, loyal team members, and friends who have helped carry this mission forward for decades,” said HEAR Center Executive Director Marisol Perez. “The money raised will help HEAR Center continue opening pathways to communication, connection, and care for children, adults, and older adults throughout our community.”
The event program also honored Ellen Simon, HEAR Center’s outgoing executive director, who served the organization for 43 years, including 19 years as executive director. Simon began her career at HEAR Center as an audiologist and helped strengthen the clinic’s services, community screenings, and clinical operations throughout her tenure.
To learn more about HEAR Center or support its community hearing and speech services, visit HEARcenter.org.
