Goaenos enjoying a snack with Fr. Snyder of OLGC parish
It was on this occasion that inspired the Goaenos to organize an association with the goals of promoting their cultural heritage; assist their town, Goa, when the need arises, assist poor but deserving students, develop unity and closer ties among its members and provide moral, emotional, and financial support to members when needed.
The Goa Association of California was conceived. The officers were then
elected and later sworn in. The Constitution and By Laws were formulated by a
committee and was approved by the officers and members after a few months.
Membership from other states were included thus the association's name was
changed to Goa Association-USA.
The association started raising flinds through various ways. It was able
to send some assistance to typhoon victims in Goa; send balikbayan boxes with
used clothes distributed to the poor; start the scholarship program, which
supports poor but deserving college students enrolled at the Partido State
College. It was also able to provide two pump wells in Goa located at the Goa
Central School and barrio of Pinaglabanan through the BNAA Pump well Program,
The association was also able to send a computer to the Goa Police Deparrment
at the request of the
Goa Chief of Police.
Within that year, in 1991 the Goa Association of California became one of
the association members of the Devotees of Ou Lady of Penafrancia Inc. The
Goa Association USA was the host of the successful Penafrancia Fiesta 1996
with the leadership of the Vice President, Johnny Codillo due to illness of
then President Santi Santamaria.
The Goa Association USA is still growing and will continue to be dynamic
with the support, cooperation and untiring efforts of all its officers and
members.