Local News & Commentary Since 1890.

Posts Tagged ‘rafis amigos golf outing’

By the numbers: 8th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing nets $28,000 for area JROTC

In Children and Family, Dayton Ohio News, Education, Local News, Technology, Uncategorized on September 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm

Beavercreek, OH – On Friday, June 6, 2025, the 8th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing welcomed golfers, sponsors, and supporters for a day of purpose-driven play at Beavercreek Golf Club. Despite a rainy start in the morning, the skies soon cleared, making way for an event that ran seamlessly. With 116 players participating, this year’s outing proved to be a resounding success, according to founder, Col. Rafi Rodriguez, USAF (Ret.) and Dr. Jesse Steiner, director of Air Camp.

Rodriguez is the owner of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC, in Beavercreek, Ohio and his annual event raises funds to send Junior U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets from the Greater Dayton area to an exclusive one-day AirCamp. The program is designed to introduce the cadets to aviation-focused STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through hands-on experiences—including a flight with an instructor pilot. Rodriguez has made it his mission to provide cadets with opportunities he wishes he had at that age.

USAF JROTC Cadets from Bellbrook, Beavercreek, and Fairborn attended the one-day AirCamp session on September 19 at the Lewis A Jackson Airport in Xenia.

“This outing is more than just a golf tournament—it’s about helping our JROTC cadets access experiences that can shape their futures,” Rodriguez explained. “Through AirCamp, these young men and women are introduced to the fascinating world of aviation, leadership, and teamwork. Seeing them leave inspired is the ultimate reward.”

AirCamp, co-founded by Lt. Gen. Dick Reynolds, USAF (Ret.), has earned a reputation for its unique approach to STEM education, leveraging the thrill of aviation to engage students in critical thinking and problem-solving. “Every time a cadet walks away excited about science and technology, we know we’ve made a lasting impact,” Reynolds said. “This program is about more than flying—it’s about opening doors to new opportunities.”

The outing is funded by presenting sponsor White-Allen Auto Group: Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and European—alongside Dixon Golf,  GLD Communications. Dr. Jesse Steiner is the executive director of AirCamp. “About $16K will go to send 40 Junior ROTC cadets comprised from the Bellbrook, Fairborn, and Beavercreek Hich Schools to attend the exclusive 1-Day Air Camp,” he said. “The event took place on September 19th, 2025, at the MacAir Aviation facilities at the Greene County Airport.”

“A total of $6K will be allocated ($1K each) for two Junior ROTC selected from each participating High School to attend the 1-week AirCamp. This is an increase from $3K last year,” Steiner reported. “A total of $5,000 will go to purchasing new equipment (drones, raft, etc.) for AirCamp training modules.”

Other reported figures from the event included $750 towards supporting the “Girls in STEM” 1-Day AirCamp on September 20th. Residual funds have been allocated for administrative and other supporting expenses.

Rodriguez expressed his gratitude to all who participated and contributed to this year’s success. “We had an amazing turnout and raised significant funds to send these young cadets to AirCamp,” he said. “This program is about investing in their future, and we couldn’t do it without our sponsors, golfers, and the support of our community.”

The 9th Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing is already scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2026, Beavercreek Golf Club. Registration details to be announced in January at www.askrafi.com/events.

Seventh Annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing to Benefit Greene County JROTC

In Business, Children and Family, Dayton Ohio News, Education, Local News, Technology, Uncategorized on March 12, 2024 at 11:41 am

BEAVERCREEK, Ohio – March 12, 2024 – The seventh annual Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing is scheduled for Friday, May 31st, 2024, beginning at 8:00 AM EDT, at Beavercreek Golf Club, 2800 New Germany Trebein Rd., Beavercreek, Ohio. For the second year, proceeds will fund a one-day, immersive experience at Air Camp for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) students from three Greene County Schools. Full details are available at https://www.askrafi.com/events/7th-annual-rafis-amigos-golf-outing

José “Rafi” Rodriguez, Colonel (Retired) USAF, president of Rodriguez Financial Strategies, LLC, organizes and hosts the event. “I started Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing to raise funds for causes dear to my heart, and I am grateful for the incredible community support,” Rodriguez said.

Jose “Rafi” Rodriguez (second from right) with representatives of Air Camp, who will host JROTC students benefiting from the golf outing.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Rodriguez joined the Air Force ROTC at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, where he was a distinguished graduate. After a 26-year career in the Air Force, Rodriguez retired as a senior officer while serving at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

Over the last six years, Rafi’s Amigos Golf Outing, which Rodriguez describes as a “scramble,” raised money for several regional organizations, such as United Way of Greater Dayton Area, and continues to grow. Last year’s event exceeded expectations by several thousand dollars, allowing 40 students and their instructors to attend Air Camp.

Air Camp again was a natural partnership given Rodriguez’s background, the region, and the goal—to support the youth of his community. Based in Dayton, Ohio, Air Camp, Inc. was founded in 2006 by Dr. Vince Russo and Dick Reynolds, Lieutenant General (Retired) USAF.

Russo currently serves as the organization’s President and Chairman. “Early on, we decided to use aviation as the learning medium because the real language of aviation is math,” he said. Our goal is to use aviation to help the students understand the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and inspire them to pursue careers related to those fields.” More information about Air Camp is available at aircampusa.org.

This year’s presenting sponsor is the White-Allen Auto Group / White-Allen Family of Companies in Dayton. Tim White is the president and grandson of the company’s founder. White explained why his company has supported the golf outing for the last several years. “When you’re dealing with the future of STEM education for the young members of society, that’s a wonderful mission to get behind.”

Rodriguez proudly chose “Rafi’s Amigos” because he wanted it to be where people could enjoy a community event for a great cause. “Amigos” is the Spanish word for ‘friends,’ I consider this an event where friends come together, old or new, to support a common cause in our community,” Rodriguez explained. “I hope people will come to support these future leaders of our country.”

For more information on registering, becoming a sponsor, or donating, visit https://www.askrafi.com/events/7th-annual-rafis-amigos-golf-outing. Please direct media inquiries to the event’s public relations sponsor, GLD Communications, in Jamestown, Ohio.

Is this your new site? Log in to activate admin features and dismiss this message
Log In