About Us
A Tragic Loss
When Captain John “Bag” Hefti passed away in October 2021, it was a tragic loss for his family, friends and the community. Bag’s years of service in the Navy and later as a youth sports coach had a tremendous impact on so many lives, and soon people were asking how they could help to continue Bag’s legacy. Soon, Bag’s Buddies was formed, with the goal of furthering Bag’s commitment to building future community leaders through the positive impacts of sports.
From the Wreckage, Hope...
Those early conversations led to two impressive annual scholarships, and a commitment to overcome financial limitations that are a barrier to youth playing sports. As Bag’s Buddies started awarding scholarships and awarding youth sports grants, the organization grew beyond friends and family, and today our support includes a large and growing community, both locally and beyond the Virginia Beach area.
The future of Bag’s Buddies includes an even greater impact on youth sports. Our plans include expanding the youth sports efforts to further reduce financial barriers.
The Captain John "Bag" Hefti Memorial Scholarship Foundation, AKA Bag's Buddies, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We operate with minimal overhead with a singular focus on expanding Bag’s legacy and positive impact.