Neither threatening weather, a cold drizzle in Miami or a lingering pandemic could dampen the high spirits that boosted the 2022 DFA Charity Golf Tournament on Feb. 9, which raised a staggering $375,000 for the Mourning Family Foundation (formerly known as Alonzo Mourning Charities), and its Overtown Youth Center and Honey Shine initiatives.
The Duty Free industry came out in the hundreds to support the tournament and auctions, in one of the first live industry events in North America since the pandemic began two full years ago.
The event was sponsored by Duty Free Americas and the Falic Family Foundation, and DFA CEO Jerome Falic welcomed guests and warmly spoke of his family’s tradition of “giving back.”
Guest of Honor Alonzo Mourning spoke passionately about his efforts and advocacy for youth initiatives and programs that assist abused, abandoned, and neglected kids, emphasizing the importance of education, leadership and perseverance with personal experiences from his own life.
A National Basketball Association superstar, Mourning played most of his 15-year career for Miami’s hometown Heat team. Since 1997, Mourning has raised millions of dollars for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families in the Greater Miami Community.
In addition to supporting numerous educational initiatives, Mourning focuses his attention on stimulating the development of youth enrichment centers. With the help of donors, Mourning opened the Overtown Youth Center in the historic South Florida area of Overtown in 2003.
With the leadership of his wife Tracy, Mourning also supports the Honey Shine Mentoring Program which works to empower young girls. Mourning’s presentation included an inspiring video that can be seen here. https://youtu.be/qx3LHcN63Tk
The travel retail industry generously supported the event with monetary and product donations that resulted in a fabulous array of gifts and prizes for the raffle and auction.
Among the companies helping to make the event such a success were:
Diamond Sponsors: Moet Hennessy Travel Retail, Pernod Ricard Americas Travel Retail, and Love Tito’s.
Platinum Sponsors: Altria, Campari Group, Clarins, Diplomatico Rum, Puig.
Gold Sponsors: Brown-Forman, Cincoro, Coty, Duty Free Global, Innotri, Jagermeister, Labatt, OPI, RJ Reynolds.
Silver Sponsors: Astor Chocolates, Beluga Vodka, E&J Gallo Winery, Essence Corp, Flor de Cana, Konci Group (USA), Stoli, William Grant & Sons.
Bronze Sponsors: Alexander James & Co., Casamigas Tequila, Dos Hombres, Gold Bar Whisky, Haleybrooke International, Iceberg Vodka, Lucas Bols, Moosehead Breweries, Otis McAllister, Perfetti van Melle, and Ray-Ban.