Dec. 9, 2021 – Golf Clubs and Lessons for U.S. Airforce Veteran
Yesterday we had the pleasure to host Bradley Priester at The Golf Club at South Hampton for the first of his three lessons with Kris Smith, Head Coach Pro. We had already given him his golf clubs a month ago. Bradley joined the U.S. Air Force at 18 and became an Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician. Five years later, he became ill with an extremely rare auto immune disease called henoch schonlein purpura. He suffered kidney failure, an induced coma, and spent several months in the hospital and inpatient rehab. As the disease progressed, his legs stopped bending due to myositis. The Air Force medically retired Brad 100 percent service connected. Heartbroken, as he loved being part of the Air Force, he endured a kidney transplant two years ago, but also found love and happiness. He married in 2007 and has three beautiful children. We salute Brad, not only for his service to our nation, but for his courage and perseverance. He is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all who meet him because of his kindness.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance Agency, FCBI Fund, Guardian Fueling Technologies, and Millennium Physician Group. If you want to support the Will of Iron Golf Program for Military Vets visit zellnerfoundation.com/donate
Nov. 30, 2021 – #GivingTuesday2021
We had a very busy #GivingTuesday2021. In the morning, we surprised Hilda Alexander with her new set of golf clubs and the first of three golf lessons with Paul Powers, the new licensed Titleist Performance Institute Instructor. She served in the United States Navy for 11.5 years as a Fire Controlman on the USS Kennedy and USS Eisenhower as a radar tech for the 48E. In Hilda’s words, this is how she found out about us: “I attended a golf event with wounded warriors and was set up with a group of people that I didn’t know to play golf with. We had a great time, and they were very kind to not take things super serious since I was a newbie. After a few holes I made mention that I wanted to come more often but didn’t have my own clubs. That particular day I had rentals. Marlit Yui-chozo (Military wife also beneficiary of the Will of Iron Golf Program) told me about the Zellner Foundation.”
Then in the afternoon, we honored Julian Lopezriano, a 24-years US Marines Veteran. Born and raised in Colombia, Julian dreamed to become a marine far away from US soil. He retired last April as an E9 Master Gunnery Sergeant. He was deployed to the middle east in 2003, 2004, and 2005, spending most of his time in Iraq. In 2011 Julian was part of “Operation Tomodachi” to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. We salute Hilda and Julian for their service to our nation and their impressive military careers.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance, Guardian Fueling Technologies, FCBI Fund, and Millennium Physician Group. If you want to support our Will of Iron Golf Program for Military Veterans visit zellnerfoundation.com/donate
Nov. 27, 2021 – Golf Lessons for U.S. Air Force Veteran
Last Saturday, regardless of the cold morning weather, Air Force veteran, Joshua Ray, met Paul Powers, the new licensed Titleist Performance Institute instructor at TPG Golf Performance Center. Joshua served in the US Air Force from 2002 to 2006 and was deployed twice–one time to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. He was medically discharged and later medically retired. In his own words, “golf is kind of my escape and my therapy.” We salute Joshua for his service to our nation and look forward to seeing his game improvement.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Zellner Insurance, Guardian Fueling Technologies, FCBI Fund, and Millennium Physician Group. If you want to support our Will of Iron Golf Program for Military Veterans click here.
Nov. 12, 2021 – Second Charity Golf Tournament
Last Friday, November 12th, 2021, 118 players joined us to celebrate our Military Veterans and to contribute to our exclusive golf program for disabled and PTSD diagnosed vets known as Will of Iron.
We want to thank all attendees for the amazing energy and kindness displayed throughout the course. Thank you to our veterans, players, volunteers, and most of all, our incredible sponsors for making this event a reality. God bless you all and see you next year!
This event was sponsored by Zellner Insurance Agency, FCBI Fund, Guardian Fueling Technologies, Bank of England, Publix, Staged to Sell Realty, SecureSI, James J McCall Dentistry, PGA Tour Superstore, Emerald Homes, BoPam International Security & Systems, IPFS, and The Golf Club at South Hampton.
Oct. 8, 2021 – New Golf Clubs and Lessons for U.S. Navy Veteran & His Wife
On Thursday, October 8, The Zellner Foundation had the honor to present Tyrelle and Christina Hines with their new golf clubs at TPG Performance Center. They both started golf lessons, also courtesy of the foundation. Tyrelle served 20 years in the Navy as a Machinist Mate achieving the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer. He served on three ships including USS Shreveport, USS Bataan, and USS Kearsarge for a combined four deployments. He met his lovely wife Christina in Jacksonville in 2016. In Tyrelle’s own words, “We fell in love and the rest is history. She is my rock! We have six children between us ranging from age 25 all the way to 11 years old. She is a hard-working selfless person whose job is to help the neediest of the Jacksonville population achieve VIP medical services.” We salute The Hines and thank them for their service. The Zellner Foundation recognizes not only the veterans, but their spouses and their children. Their sacrifice for America’s freedom is a toll they share as a family.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors for making this possible: Guardian Fueling Technologies, FCBI Fund, Millennium Physician Group, and Zellner Insurance. If you want to support our Will of Iron Golf Program for Military Veterans click here.
Sep. 10, 2021 – Welcome to Our New Platinum Sponsor for 2021-2022 – Millennium Physician Group
Aug. 31, 2021 – Publix Supermarkets Inc. is our 2021 Golf Tournament Lunch Sponsor
Aug. 27, 2021 – Bank of England Mortgage is our 2021 Golf Tournament Gold Sponsor
Aug. 3, 2021 – The 2021 ZF Golf Tourney Sponsorships Are Open!
Click here to review the sponsorship options and pay online.
Call 904-718-8301 or email zellnerfoundation@gmail.com if you want to discuss further.
Jul. 12, 2021 – New Golf Clubs for U.S. Army Female Veteran
By Xiomara Spadafora, President and Co-Founder
On Monday July 12th, 2021, The Zellner Foundation honored its promise of providing a new set of golf clubs to eight-years Army Military Police Veteran, Erika Draht. She deployed to Iraq in 2005 and was medically retired in October 2012. Her duty stations included Germany, Ft Jackson, SC, and both Walter Reed Hospitals. We salute Erika for her service and wish her many amazing rounds of golf.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors: Guardian Fueling Technologies, FCBI Fund, and Zellner Insurance. If you want to support our Will of Iron Golf Program for Veterans click here.
Jun. 22, 2021 – New Golf Clubs for Military Wife
By Xiomara Spadafora, President and Co-Founder
Last Tuesday, the Zellner Foundation had the privilege to honor Marlit Yui, a proud military wife, with a new set of golf clubs. Marlit started golfing to support her husband Leonardo in his recovery from PTSD.
Leonardo “Leo” Yui, PO1, US Navy Seabee (Ret.) served in the military for 14 years and completed multiple Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. He was medically retired due to combat injuries, and for many years, he struggled with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation.
He was recently introduced to golfing in February 2021 and also received golf clubs from the Zellner Foundation. In Leo’s words: “I have learned that golfing is simply just like your everyday struggles. Some golf games you hit the ball, straight and right into the hole, some days it doesn’t work out that way. Life is the same way. The only thing I have control of is my attitude and my actions.”
Military wives are the other heroes that stay home battling everyday life, keeping their families together.
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors: Guardian Fueling Technologies, FCBI Fund, and Zellner Insurance. If you want to support our mission click here.
May 20, 2021 – Welcome To Our New Platinum Sponsor for 2021-2022 – FCBI Fund
Feb. 8, 2021 – The One-Armed Golfer
By Xiomara Spadafora, President and Co-Founder
As The Zellner Foundation for Military Vets continues its quest of helping veterans find jobs on the First Coast, we are also having a little bit of fun by incorporating our golf program Will of Iron.
Exclusive for disabled and PTSD diagnosed veterans, the Will of Iron Program provides them with golf gear, lessons, and playtime free of cost. Fresh air, green scenery, and good company are one of a kind therapeutic with no side effects.
One of the beneficiaries of this program is retired Navy corpsman Gabriel George. In 2009, “Gabe” was pronounced dead at the scene of a motorcycle accident. He was leaving a bible study when a reckless driver hit him.
Two months later, he had to accept the fate of a life with a Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and losing his right arm.
A decade into recovery, facing adversity at every corner, Gabe developed his four words mantra: Vision – Discipline – Strength – Determination. This is the vehicle that keeps him rolling towards his most cherished goal: to compete at the Paralympic Games in archery.
Gabriel is known as The One Armed Archer. He is also a father, husband, avid diver, pickelballer, and cyclist. Most recently, he began golfing, and The Zellner Foundation for Military Vets is proud to sponsor his new journey as The One Armed Golfer.
Since the beginning of 2021, I have had the privilege to golf with Gabriel a couple of times. As an amateur golfer, I tend to criticize my game and think about quitting. However, watching Gabriel swing the club–with only one arm–taught me a valuable lesson: there are no excuses.
In his own words, “Life is for the living,” and Gabriel George embodies this statement fully. He is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith in God.
If you want to support our mission, please click here to donate.