RDO team members understand that thriving communities require strong partnerships and support from area businesses. Richard Arias, RDO’s Vice President of Southwest Agriculture, challenged team members to create an innovative way to raise money for community organizations serving area families and children nearly four years ago. That’s when RDO team members decided to host the Desert Coast Growers Invitational golf tournament.
“The team has come together to support families and kids in the Desert Coast region, where many of our stores are located,” Arias said. “It’s important for us to demonstrate that partnerships with area farmers go beyond just the equipment and technology, the service we provide in our stores.”
Arias said that this tournament with growers and community members creates opportunities for team members to connect with an organization that helps kids and families when they are in critical need.
RDO partners with John Deere and farmers to raise funds for Yuma's Family Advocacy Center.
Partners in Supporting Families and Children
Arias shared the effort by RDO, John Deere and growers from Yuma and its surrounding areas to support Amberly’s Place and the potentially lifesaving service and support programs it offers for the second consecutive year. In total, this tournament has raised more than six figures for Amberly’s Place.
“Amberly’s Place has operated for more than a quarter of a century and continues to grow its programs and services to respond to area families’ needs,” Arias said. “Many of our team members and manufacturing partners, like John Deere, recognize the vital service and support Amberly’s Place provides.”
Amberly’s Place, Yuma’s Family Advocacy Center, was selected to receive 100% of the funds raised during the fourth annual Desert Coast Growers Invitational golf tournament.
“The donation from last year’s tournament allowed us to serve more than 3,100 families and individuals during emergencies,” said Tori Bourguignon, Executive Director at Amberly’s Place. “We replaced door locks, repaired broken windows, provided transportation, lodging and auto repairs.”
Bourguignon said the funds raised by RDO and John Deere also paid for essentials like food, diapers, clothing, and help with utility bills, rent/mortgage payments and counseling or other medical services necessary for victims.
“While our grant funds cover salaries and employee-related expenses, they do not cover urgent needs, so the proceeds from this golf tournament have been crucial in addressing these expenses for so many victims and families,” Bourguignon said.
John Deere’s Business Division Manager, David Gordillo, expressed his team’s eagerness to partner with RDO as this tournament's title sponsor.
“Humanity is a key value at John Deere, so we support the development of strong and healthy communities where RDO stores are located and embrace an opportunity like this one to support Amberly’s Place as this organization meets so many critical needs in Yuma and its surrounding communities,” Gordillo said.
Bourguignon said the funds raised create pathways for victims to access trauma-informed wrap-around services when families and individuals are in critical need.
"Being selected for the second consecutive year is a tremendous honor for us and signifies the strong partnership we have with RDO, which resonates deeply within our community,” Bourguignon said.
The Desert Coast Growers Invitational has raised $240,000 for nonprofits serving Yuma and its surrounding areas. RDO team members are committed to supporting the immediate needs of the communities where they work and live.
RDO Equipment Co.
Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports intelligently connected agriculture, construction, environmental, irrigation, positioning, and surveying equipment from leading manufacturers, including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. With more than 80 locations across the U.S. and partnerships in Africa, Australia, Mexico and Ukraine, we deliver creative solutions so our customers can grow and build the world.
