Bell Pay It Forward Givers

University of South Florida Women’s Golf Team

Tampa, Florida

Recipients

Callahan Hall, Brenda Lee Andujar Colon

The Need

AJ Newell and her University of South Florida golfers were “giddy with excitement,” the coach recalled. After considering carefully, they knew exactly what they wanted to do – and they’d had the date on their calendars for weeks.
 

Having won the Pay It Forward Collegiate Golf Tourney (presented by Bell Bank) in March, the USF women’s golf team had the unusual mission of giving away $5,000. Each winning men’s and women’s golf team in the tournament receives $5,000 in Pay It Forward funds (with individual winners receiving $1,000) to give as they choose where they see a need.

The Impact

When the big day came, the team had decided on two deserving recipients – setting aside $2,500 each for behind-the-scenes helpers who play special roles.

Callahan Hall is a student assistant for the team. Encouraged by her mom to apply for the job, Callahan had expected it would help her pay for tuition and books. It turned into “the best thing ever” for Callahan, thanks to the closeness she felt to the golfers and their coach. In presenting her check, Coach Newell told Callahan, “I always feel you are as much a part of our success as anyone else here in this room.”
 

For Brenda Lee Andujar Colon, the $2,500 also came as a complete surprise. A housekeeper at the team’s facility, “Ms. Brenda” treats the students “like my own kids.” Her hard work, always done with a smile, has made Brenda much loved and appreciated – and “as much a part of this team,” said the coach, “as anybody else in this building.”
 

The funds will definitely help them out, said the recipients – and clearly, both Brenda and Callahan felt loved and respected by the USF team. For the golfers themselves, the chance to pay it forward with intention was an experience that could have a ripple effect in years to come.
 

“I hope this shows [our team] the joy and fulfillment that can come from giving back,” Coach Newell said. “And hopefully they continue that as they move onward in their careers.”