Charity golf tournament tops $400,000 for Los Angeles-area YMCAs

Community News

Los Angeles, California, Foundation
Golfers warm up ahead of Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery’s annual golf tournament fundraiser benefiting area YMCAs.
  • Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery’s annual charity golf tournament raised more than $415,000 at its annual golf event in September.
  • The money raised will go directly to three local YMCAs to support low-income youth and families.
  • The refinery’s Contractor Safety Council is a major supporter of the event every year.

The YMCAs in Long Beach, Carson-Gardena and Wilmington, California, will each receive financial support for programs that help low-income youth and families in the Los Angeles area. The 48th charity golf tournament sponsored by Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery and supported by the refinery’s Contractor Safety Council in September raised more than $415,000.

Back row: David Torres (Brinderson), Nick Vigil (USA DeBusk), Joey Aviles Mangan, Nicholas Rodriguez (Kelly Services), Mike Serrano (Schultz), Mike Kulakowski (MPC), Alfredo Velasco (YMCA), Nicholas Johnson (YMCA Youth & Government Governor) Front Row: Bruce Lopez (Airgas), C.P. Patsatzis (MPC), Mark Lopez (Schultz, CSC President), Kim Figueroa (PTS Advance- Tournament Coordinator), Yolanda de la Torre (YMCA), Leticia Leos (YMCA), Vincent Ramos (Brock West) Bottom row: Monica Hernandez (MPC)

Set against the picturesque background of El Dorado Park Golf Course in Long Beach, over 160 players took part in the event, which brought in one of the largest totals in many years.

“We cannot thank Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery and the Contractor Safety Council enough for once again stepping up to support our community and the countless families these dollars will work to support for years to come.”

“This year’s event exceeded all of our expectations,” said Leticia Leos, Executive Director of Fairfield Family YMCA in Long Beach. “We cannot thank Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery and the Contractor Safety Council enough for once again stepping up to support our community and the countless families these dollars will work to support for years to come.”

(L to R) Adrina Canales, Mike Tia, Brent Westwood, Jerry Acosta, Monica Hernandez and Olga Chavez

This year’s tournament proceeds will be split between the three YMCA branches that operate in disadvantaged communities. The money will primarily be used to provide financial aid for important programs like before and after school care, summer day camp and childcare in the local area.

“This is an organization we truly believe in, and it is always our goal with the dollars we raise at this important event to make as big of a difference as possible,” said C.P. Patsatzis, Vice President of Refining at the Los Angeles refinery. “From our employees and contractors to our generous donors and the Golf Tournament Committee, we could not pull this off without your collective support and contributions.”

MPC employees Luis Martinez (second from left), Lisa Stettler (middle right), C.P. Patsatzis, (second from left) and Bevan Tighe recognize representatives from CODE RED SAFETY for being one of the many hole sponsors of the fundraising event.

Dozens of volunteers from Marathon Petroleum, along with YMCA staff, worked together to plan and execute the large-scale fundraiser.

“I’m amazed by the generosity our contractors and employees display on and off the course to make this important event such a success each and every year,” said Mark Lopez, President of the Contractor Safety Council at the Los Angeles refinery. “None of this would be possible without their support, as well as our tournament sponsors and event participants.”

Marathon Petroleum’s Mike Kulakowski presents YMCAs in Long Beach (Fairfield), Carson-Gardena and Wilmington with a check for $421,000 raised at the 2023 charity golf tournament sponsored by Marathon Petroleum’s Los Angeles refinery and supported by the refinery’s Contractor Safety Council.