The Captain John "Bag" Hefti Memorial Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to honor the memory and carry forward the legacy of an extraordinary man who touched countless lives in Virginia Beach and beyond.
How It All Started
When Captain John "Bag" Hefti, USN, passed away in 2021, his family and friends knew they had to do something. Bag had spent his life bringing people together—on sports fields, in his Navy career, and in every room he entered. The idea of that spirit fading was unthinkable.
So they created Bag's Buddies.
What began as a heartfelt tribute has grown into a thriving foundation. We've now awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to Virginia Beach student-athletes who remind us of Bag—young people who work hard, bring joy to their teams, and understand that we're all in this together.
Read the full story of Bag's life and legacy
Our Vision
The vision of Bag's Buddies is a world that honors the life of Captain John "Bag" Hefti through unwavering commitment to the universal access and benefits of youth sports. There shall be no barriers that prevent youth from fully realizing their pursuit of sports in their communities.
Our Mission
The Mission of Bag's Buddies is to celebrate the legacy of Captain John "Bag" Hefti by providing scholarships to graduating high school scholar-athletes who demonstrate the values of Captain Hefti through academic excellence, leadership and selfless service to community, and to eliminate the financial and infrastructure barriers for individual athletes and communities to fully accessing local youth sports programs.
The Three Pillars
Scholarships
Recognizing the strength of character in high school student-athletes and rewarding their academic excellence.
Access to Youth Sports
Eliminating financial and infrastructure barriers for individual athletes and communities to experience the benefits of youth sports.
Service
Selflessly putting people first by delivering exceptional, responsive, and mission-aligned support.
Our Core Values
- Humility — We lead by serving others, understanding that true impact comes from lifting those around us.
- Teamwork — We foster a spirit of collaboration, mutual support, and shared purpose with all people and communities.
- Excellence — We inspire continuous improvement, encouraging young people to achieve their full potential in all aspects of life.
- Integrity — We act with honesty and strong moral principles, upholding trust and John's honorable example.
- Fairness — We ensure that all people—regardless of background, identity, or circumstance—are treated equitably, with dignity, and impartially.
Our Impact So Far
In five years of service to the Virginia Beach community, Bag's Buddies has:
- Awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Virginia Beach student-athletes
- Supported students attending colleges and universities across the country
- Provided youth sports grants to families facing financial barriers
- Built a growing community of "Bag's Buddies" alumni who continue giving back
- Hosted annual events bringing together hundreds of community members
Meet our 2025 scholarship recipients
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Status
Bag's Buddies is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 87-2984176). All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We're committed to transparency—every dollar you give goes toward supporting young athletes.
Join the Team
There are many ways to become part of the Bag's Buddies family:
- Apply for a Scholarship — Are you a Virginia Beach senior who plays hard, has fun, and lives the team mentality?
- Request a Youth Sports Grant — Need help covering registration, equipment, or uniforms?
- Make a Donation — Your gift directly supports scholarships and youth sports grants
- Join Bag's Buddies Racing — Run with us and race for a cause
- Attend Bag's Big Bash — Join us for our annual celebration of student-athletes
- Volunteer with Us — Help with events, outreach, or scholarship review
Play Hard, Have Fun, Same Team.