NAWILIWILI — Lawrence Mendonca didn’t know what to do after his daughter Sandra Mendonca Galas was killed, an apparent victim of domestic abuse. “I didn’t know what to do,” Mendonca said Sunday while waiting on the start of the 8th
NAWILIWILI — Lawrence Mendonca didn’t know what to do after his daughter Sandra Mendonca Galas was killed, an apparent victim of domestic abuse.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Mendonca said Sunday while waiting on the start of the 8th Never Forget Sandy G. golf tournament at the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club. “I didn’t want people to just forget about her, and I’m grateful to the YWCA of Kauai for allowing us to keep Sandy’s memory alive.”
Eighty golfers created 20 teams for the tournament which featured a shotgun start from the pro shop entrance, the carts rolling past a cheering bank of YWCA staff and volunteers as they rolled out.
Jamie Meyers, the YWCA fundraising chair, said the tournament generated about $17,000 for the YWCA, $10,000 coming from the golfers and an additional $7,000 from corporate sponsorships.
“This tournament has been great,” Mendonca said. “We had a slow start, but it’s gotten bigger each year. It not only helps keep Sandy G. in our minds, this tournament brings funds to the YWCA of Kauai as well as brings awareness to domestic abuse and violence.”
Galas, 27, was found dead in her car at her Eleele home on Jan. 25, 2006.
Nearly seven years following her death, Kauai police arrested Darren Galas for the alleged murder of his estranged wife. Charged with second-degree murder, he will go on trial March 16.
Meyers said the next fundraising event for the YWCA of Kauai is the Pink Sunday coming to the Kauai Veterans Center in November.
