The June Jones Foundation and the medical team of the Goodwill Mission touched down on American Samoa soil this past Thursday evening, with another medical donation intended for the LBJ Medical Center, along with five student athlete scholarships that were awarded to two female and three males yesterday at the Governor's Office in Utulei.

Leading the group was Coach June Jones who has been a tremendous help to not only the youth of American Samoa, but the people of Tutuila and Manu’a for continuously making trips to aid not only our local hospital but also various athletic scholarships for both football and volleyball players.

Coach Jones mentioned that these trips to American Samoa make him feel better about the people who took care of him while he was coaching at UH, “This has been a big blessing for us and for the kids of Samoa and the hospital, doctors and nurses. I have made some really good friends over the last fifteen years and it is always good to see them. I always enjoy my time coming back, to give back to an island that was very good to me when I was coaching at the University of Hawaii.”

Jones said that this trip is different from the recent trips because “Every year there is a uniqueness… I am always excited to see the kids, the student athletes that come through and I must say I am very proud of the kids here and their academic scholarships, and that they were chosen by the Department of Education. They were picked not only for their athleticism, but for their academic standards, and that's what makes me very proud.”

Jones also commented on their Goodwill Mission by saying that “…for our medical trip, I am taking probably around four to five hundred thousand dollars worth of medical supplies, and the doctors and the nurses have come to extend their help at the hospital and to help as many people as they can in the time frame that we’re here.”

 “So every year, I think that has grown a little bit more, and it has been combined together with the athletic and academic part of these trips," he added.

Samoa News understands that the Goodwill Mission will present their Medical Donation to the LBJ Medical Center next Monday.

According to Jones, former NFL Superbowl winner Jesse Sapolu of the San Francisco 49ers will be leading the athletic training this year as far as on- field sessions.

 “Jesse Sapolu, Ma’a Tanuvasa, Vince Manuwai and Reno Mahe, will be in charge of the on field sessions, so I think that will be a very good combination, they are all top of the line NFL players and they know a lot about that game.”

He added, “they’ve got six or eight superbowl rings amongst them so they are the best at what they do.”

Jones acknowledged those who have supported them on this, their sixth trip.

 “We’re just grateful for all the communities for stepping up, Blue Sky, and all the different sponsors that have helped us when we come down here, Sadies by the Sea has been wonderful and the people there are great, and of course getting to see the new administration, the Lt. Governor. It's a great time, I think for the island too.”

On hand to welcome the group as well as the NFL players was Lt. Governor Lemanu Mauga who thanked June Jones and the Goodwill Mission for their non-stop support and love for the people of American Samoa by saying, “Sitting in front of you today, I am very humbled. Coach June Jones and the Goodwill Mission group, and doctors, nurses and NFL players, thank you very much.”

“Thank you for these six years that you have donated to us— to be part of the lives of the American Samoan people, and for letting us be part of your lives, we are very honored to have you here and I hope you enjoy your next few days in American Samoa,” said the Lt. Gov.

Medical Team Director Marchelle Tapusoa presented Mauga with their donation saying, “Each year we collect stuff that hospital and parent homes are getting rid of. They would change their products and they would have thousand and thousand of old products and these are still not used, and not expired. Thinking that someone could make use of it,  what we do is we gather it, and we hope to bring it to Samoa. We will be getting partial shipments coming in within the next couple of weeks that will be given out to the LBJ Hospital, the Hope House in Fatu-O-Aiga, and other health dispensaries here in American Samoa”.

The following are the five student athletes who have been awarded June Jones Foundation Scholarships this year:

Bruce Scanlan – Kanana Fou High School – Football Scholarship

Fred Lauina – Tafuna High School – Football Scholarship

Lilly Tauala – Samoana High School – Volleyball Scholarship

Vincent Simanu – Fagaitua High School – Football Scholarship

Matavaitofaga Moi – Leone High School – Volleyball Scholarship