The history of their involvement began with Jack and Mickey's daughter Kathy who attended St. Mary's University with San Miguel Co-Founder Gordon Hannon. Over the years, Gordon became a close family friend. "I first learned of San Miguel through my very good friend Gordon," Kathy recalls. "When Gordon spoke about his and Brother Ed's plans for San Miguel, he was inspiring. When I first got involved, it was simply to help a friend follow his dream.  The more I learned about San Miguel, the more amazed I was."

As San Miguel wrapped up its first year in 1995, Kathy's father, Jack Hallberg, wanted to find a way to raise awareness about the mission and work of San Miguel. As a member of Crystal Tree, a private club with an immaculately maintained Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Signature Golf Course, Jack decided that a Golf Outing was the perfect way to grow a wider audience for San Miguel. Thus the inaugural Golf Outing in 1996 was established as San Miguel's first fundraiser.

"We believed that the more people who learned about San Miguel and were asked to support it, the better chance it would have to succeed," says Kathy. She continues, "Truthfully, you weren't sure if they were going to be able to pull it off, but you couldn't help but want to try. Gordon and Brother Ed had somewhat of a contagious enthusiasm." That fact has proven true, as the Golf Outing has seen thirteen years of success with many past participants becoming regular supporters of San Miguel.

As San Miguel celebrates its fifteenth anniversary, Kathy remembers San Miguel's humble beginnings and just how much the mission has grown. "The first time I visited San Miguel, there were only a few classrooms of kids.  Gordon and Ed had a dream to reach many more children and it is has been so exciting to see the dream evolve into a reality." Kathy has had the unique perspective of witnessing the growth of San Miguel from the very beginning. "I have been so impressed over the years with the dedication of the staff as well as the entire student body.  There is such a desire to succeed on every level."

Jack reflects that it is the staff and teachers of San Miguel that truly inspires him to remain committed to the mission. "I have the upmost respect for the teachers and staff who are ‘walking the walk,'" says Jack. "It is not just a financial commitment, but a time and lifestyle commitment. It is an entire part of their existence that is dedicated to these students."

"I must give credit to my dad and the San Miguel staff" says Kathy," who have become quite a team over the past years in helping San Miguel's oldest fundraiser continue to be a success!"

Please join us, the Hallberg's and the Valek's on Monday, August 24^th for another successful San Miguel Schools Golf Outing!  Click here for the registration form or contact Jack Hallberg at 708.380.4587 for more information.