From left: Rob, Sharil and Maverick Fukuzaki are joined by Lynelle Marble, Wil Fukuzaki and Jill Takasaki-Canfield, executive director Hawaii Literacy at the second annual Ann Fukuzaki’s Gifts of Love & Aloha in September. Fukuzaki’s Heads Up Youth Foundation partnered with Hawaii Literacy to provide a back-to-school giveaway for the children of Mayor Wright Homes & the Towers at Kuhio Park gifting backpacks
Rob Fukuzaki’s Heads Up Foundation charity golf tournament set for Nov. 11
By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU SENIOR EDITOR
“Oh, what a night!” Rob Fukuzaki shared after the Dodgers clinched the pennant, setting up a World Series against the New York Yankees that is sure to be a classic.
Fukuzaki is incredibly busy as an award-winning journalist who is well-known as the weekday sports anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News in Los Angeles and host of the post-game show “Sports Zone.” Less known is his charity work helping underprivileged kids through the Heads Up Youth Foundation.
The 23rd annual Rob Fukuzaki Heads Up Youth Foundation charity golf tournament will take place on Monday, Nov. 11, at Via Verde Country Club, 1400 Avenida Entrada, San Dimas. The tournament has been on a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The Sugimoto Family Foundation, led by George, Ruri, Lisa and Nathan, is presenting the tournament, which promises to be a fun-filled day with great golf, food, contests, prizes and friendly competition.
The tournament, whose format is two-person scramble, raises money for Heads Up Youth, which seeks to help make a difference in the lives of the area’s underserved, at-risk and foster youth. Their goal is to build confidence, instill hope and enrich lives.
“I am so blessed to have the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of Southern California’s youth. Every child deserves to be given access to opportunity to succeed and to fulfill their goals and dreams,” Fukuzaki says.
If you aren’t a golfer, that’s okay, you can still join. The tournament will be followed by an awards reception with buffet dinner, opportunity drawing and auction.
Registration starts at 8 a.m.; shotgun start at 10 a.m. Cocktail reception at 3:30 p.m., awards dinner at 4:30 p.m., including an overview of what the Heads Up Youth Foundation has accomplished in the last four years and an annual event, “Ann’s Gifts of Love and Aloha,” which Fukuzaki started in tribute to his mom, Ann Kiyoko Fukuzaki, who passed away in September 2022.
“She loved our Heads Up Youth Foundation, its purpose, and loved helping the kids who benefit,” Fukuzaki said.
The tournament is the perfect opportunity to network, entertain existing and prospective clients, and make new friends.
For more information on the tournament or other programs in the Heads Up Youth Foundation, visit www.headsupyouthfoundation.org.
Fukuzaki was born in Torrance and raised in Honolulu, where his family relocated when he was three years old. He graduated from the University of La Verne in Southern California in 1988 and earned a B.A. in broadcast journalism with an emphasis in radio and television. While at La Verne, he was chosen as the university’s Broadcaster of the Year in 1986, 1987 and 1988.
The Heads Up Youth Foundation, which Fukuzaki founded in 1997, raises funds to support young people affected by disadvantaged financial and family backgrounds, those who lack the basic necessities and educational opportunities in life.
The foundation assists sports and youth organizations that improve the lives of youth. Through youth-centered activities — educational, recreational and/or mentorship — the youth are provided with a positive and safe learning environment. An environment in which they are provided the tools and resources needed to become inspired and to discover a future filled with endless possibilities so that they can realize and achieve their goals and dreams.
The foundation’s work is made possible by the combined efforts of its generous donors, sponsors and volunteers and supports a variety of nonprofit organizations throughout the community. The combined efforts of these organizations, along with the contributions made by the foundation, have helped thousands of youth to participate in activities and programs that would have otherwise been out of their reach.