The Guardsmen

On April 17, 2025, John F. Galloway- beloved father, husband, ex-husband, brother, friend, adventurer, and unrepentant life enthusiast- exited the stage. In true John fashion, he left us mid-adventure, with plans still on the calendar, bags half-packed for Egypt, and the kind of energy that made you assume he’d outlive us all. But if there’s anyone who knew how to face the curtain with a bow, it was him.

If you knew John, you probably have a story (or ten) that starts with, “You’re not going to believe this, but…” and ends with laughter, amazement, or possibly someone calling security. He lived by his own motto, “Fast Lane or Dead Stop,” and while we are devastated to be at a full stop without him, we take comfort in knowing he lived every day with joy, irreverence, and boundless spirit.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, our family is asking that donations be made in John’s honor to The Guardsmen , an organization that meant the world to him. John moved to California from England in 1975 at the age of 25, not knowing a single soul. And while his personality was anything but small, even he admitted that those early days were lonely. That changed when he entered the orbit of The Guardsmen— a volunteer organization that quickly became his chosen family. The friendships he forged there — over decades of fundraising, Encampments, and probably (definitely) more than a few “unsanctioned” social gatherings — were among the deepest and most enduring of his life. The Guardsmen didn’t just give him purpose; they gave him a community that embraced his charisma, his mischief, and most of all, his heart.

From The Guardsmen waiting list in 1979, to officially joining in 1980 as the youngest member ever to be inducted, to becoming a Member for Life and Hall of Famer in 1997, to attending a members dinner 2025 the very same week he left us, John wholly supported their mission: helping Bay Area youth gain access to educational and outdoor opportunities. But if you asked him, he might say he was just there for the parties — a classic John deflection. But behind that rakish smile and rock-star persona was someone who cared deeply, gave generously, and showed up for people in ways big and small.

Although John self-described as more as a “fun-raiser” than a fundraiser- a bit of a personality hire, if we’re being honest- it’s never too late to boost those numbers. He raised some hell with the Guardsmen in life, and we know he’d absolutely love the idea of raising funds for them from heaven.

So if John ever made you laugh until you cried, talked you into something that was a good idea in the moment and a good story later (best not to dwell on the in-between!), or showed up when you needed a friend — we hope you'll consider giving to The Guardsmen in his memory and know that $1 dollar would mean as much to him as $100. Let’s honor him the same way he lived: with laughter, mischief, and a legacy that continues to lift others up, Fast Lane or Dead Stop.

This is Mateo’s Story.

Mateo is 9 years old and lives in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco. He’s bright, curious, and always asking big questions—especially about how things work and why the stars come out.

But last summer, Mateo wasn’t exploring nature, building friendships, or discovering new passions. He was inside, alone, while his mom worked a double shift. Like thousands of kids in San Francisco, Mateo didn’t have access to summer camp or learning opportunities—not because of his potential, but because of his family’s income.

Until The Guardsmen stepped in.

Through a Guardsmen campership and scholarship, Mateo was able to spend a week in the redwoods and enroll in a tuition-supported school this fall. At camp, he learned how to pitch a tent and stargaze through a telescope. At school, he found a mentor who told him, for the first time, “You’re going to do something great.”

That’s the power of opportunity. And that’s what this campaign is about.

The 2025 Guardsmen Waitlist Class is raising $40,000 to send more kids like Mateo to camp and into schools where their brilliance is nurtured.

Because every child in San Francisco Bay Area deserves a summer full of wonder, a classroom that sees them, and a future that reflects their potential.

Help us make that happen. Donate today. Be part of Mateo’s story—and hundreds more like his.

One Scholarship. One Year. A Lifetime of Possibility.

30 days. 30 scholarships. Our goal: $2,200/day for 30 days = $66,000 to fund a full year of school for 30 under-resourced Bay Area students. Each scholarship is $2,200/year (~180 school days ≈ $12/day)—paid directly to schools so students can enroll and stay.

Give by days:

$12 ≈ 1 school day

$120 ≈ 10 days

$366 ≈ 30 days

$1,100 = half year (90 days)

$2,200 = full year (180 days)

Pick your day count and launch a future today.

I'm raising money to benefit The Guardsmen, a charitable organization, founded in 1947, serving the Bay Area's at-risk youth by providing Camperships and K-12 Scholarships to kids from low-income households. Each year The Guardsmen sends over 1,500 youth to outdoor education programs and provides scholarship support to more than 250 students at Bay Area private schools.

My Waitlist Class (first-year Guardsmen) is preparing to host our inaugural fundraising event, Bark at the Park, on August 19th in San Francisco. This event will bring together dog owners, dog lovers, and friends at the pristine Presidio Civil War Parade Ground for a day of fun, games, and competition. For full event details and tickets please visit: http://barkatthepark.eventbrite.com/ . We hope to see you there!

In anticipation of presenting Bark at the Park, we’re rallying our friends and family to consider donating to The Guardsmen in support of Bay Area's at-risk youth. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated – for some perspective, $315 sends a kid to camp, and $2,000 sends a kid to school. We thank you for your consideration.

To learn more about The Guardsmen and its mission and impact, please visit https://guardsmen.org/ , where you’ll find content including The Guardsmen 2021-2022 Report .

I'm raising money to benefit The Guardsmen, a charitable organization, founded in 1947, serving the Bay Area's at-risk youth by providing Camperships and K-12 Scholarships to kids from low-income households. Each year The Guardsmen sends over 1,500 youth to outdoor education programs and provides scholarship support to more than 250 students at Bay Area private schools.

My Waitlist Class (first-year Guardsmen) is preparing to host our inaugural fundraising event, Bark at the Park, on August 19th in San Francisco. This event will bring together dog owners, dog lovers, and friends at the pristine Presidio Civil War Parade Ground for a day of fun, games, and competition. For full event details and tickets please visit: http://barkatthepark.eventbrite.com/. We hope to see you there!

In anticipation of presenting Bark at the Park, we’re rallying our friends and family to consider donating to The Guardsmen in support of Bay Area's at-risk youth. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated – for some perspective, $315 sends a kid to camp, and $2,000 sends a kid to school. We thank you for your consideration.

To learn more about The Guardsmen and its mission and impact, please visit https://guardsmen.org/, where you’ll find content including The Guardsmen 2021-2022 Report.

Beginning Saturday, January 15, 2022...

 

Senior Guardsmen members, Alden Mills, Brett Bush and Chip Pyfer will embark on a 21-day Aconguaga (tallest mountain in South America, 22,838 ft) climbing expedition in Argentina to create awareness for The Guardsmen whose mission is to provide educational opportunities for at-risk Bay Area kids, and raising funds to support The Guardsmen Scholarship Endowment Fund.

 

A few words from Alden, Brett and Chip:

 

Hello friends, family members and fans of The Guardsmen!

 

We’ve delayed this climb for 2 years and we’ve had enough of being cooped up during COVID and thought now was the perfect time to attempt our 4th of the Seven Summits. The pandemic has had an impact on all of us, but none have had it harder than the at-risk youth of the Bay Area.

 

The Guardsmen need our help.

 

They are working overtime to meet the fundraising goals to fund over 250 elementary through high school scholarships. As you might imagine the last two years have been challenging times for fundraising and school, especially for underprivileged kids! If there were ever a time to help The Guardsmen: NOW IS THE TIME!

 

We hope you will step up with us as we take a few hundred thousand steps to attempt to put a Guardsmen flag on our highest peak yet. As was the case with Denali back in 2018, all donations go will benefit The Guardsmen scholarship program! (BTW, we raised over 26k for the kids hiking Denali, we’re looking to beat it this year with 2,525 more feet of elevation as inspiration!)

 

We are all so grateful for your support and please know your support fuels us to keep climbing for the kids!

 

Join us on this expedition and let’s make it an epic start to 2022!!!

 

Yours in Guardsmania,

 

Alden    Brett     Chip

 

PS Scroll below to see details of the mountain, our climb, links for satellite updates and where to donate.

 

PPS If you want to learn more about the 75 year history of The Guardsmen click here .

 

 

About Aconguaga and Expedition Logistics:

 

Aconguaga is located in the Andes in the western Mendoza province of Argentina and is the second highest of the Seven Summits of the world.

 

Standing at 22,835 feet it is the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. Departing from Mendoza, Argentina we hope to complete this climb in 15 days, while establishing base camps at 14,000, 16,000 and 18,000 feet. While not as technical as Denali the amount of time spent at altitude makes this an equally challenging and difficult climb to the highest peak outside the Himalayan mountain range. To get an idea of the general 21 day literary and altitudes, click here: https://www.rmiguides.com/aconcagua/itinerary

 

Here is a link where you can get satellite updates of our expedition: https://www.rmiguides.com/blog/expedition/ac_011222/desc

Final Comments:

 

For all of those who know us well, you know how strongly we feel about the opportunities The Guardsmen Scholarship Program provides at-risk youth in the Bay Area. During our tenure (2000-2009) in the group we were active in leadership roles and annual fundraising. The camaraderie and lifelong friendships we’ve strengthened through climbing together is in large part due to meeting one another as Guardsmen in 2000. As we attempt our highest climb yet, we want to enhance this experience by giving back to the group that introduced us. While we aren’t asking anyone to climb Aconguaga, we are asking you to consider supporting the Guardsmen Scholarship Endowment. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL and any donation is very much appreciated…it is afterall, for the kids!

THANK YOU!

 

 

 

The Guardsmen makes a life-changing difference in the lives of at-risk youth by raising funds for scholarship, campership and other youth programs. We mobilize the talents, energy and resources of our members, friends, families, and professional colleagues, and in so doing strengthen our entire community.

Back‑to‑School: 30 Scholarships in 30 Days Challenge

Let’s be bold. In 30 days, we’re securing 30 students’ scholarships—keeping them in the high‑quality private schools where they’re already thriving.

Goal: $66,000 = 30 scholarships at $2,200 each

Impact Math:

Since 1947, The Guardsmen has helped low‑income students access rigorous academics and supportive classrooms. These 30 scholarships aren’t abstract—they’re real children reading, solving, leading right now. Without us, those seats are at risk.

Play the Challenge:

We’ll post updates as each scholarship is secured—watch the GoFundMe progress bar fill and celebrate every win.

Donate now—let’s finish all 30 together.

Climb With Us: Empower Kids Through Outdoor Learning

We are five senior Guardsmen—longtime volunteers, adventurers, and firm believers in the power of nature to transform lives. This spring, we’re setting out on the journey of a lifetime: climbing Mt. Everest. But this climb is about more than reaching the summit—it’s about giving back.

We’re raising $94,500 to send 300 under-resourced children to summer camp through The Guardsmen’s Campership Program, and we’re inviting you to climb with us.

A Journey to Everest: How It All Began

In 2000, a group of young professionals came together through The Guardsmen, a San Francisco-based nonprofit committed to supporting at-risk children through scholarships and outdoor programs. Among them were Brett Bush, Tom Power, Alden Mills, Chip Pyfer, and Dean Poulakidas—the five Guardsmen on this climb. What began as volunteer service blossomed into enduring friendship, and eventually, a shared passion for mountaineering.

Their first climb in 2009—Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineer's Route—was grueling but transformational. From that point on, they committed to climbing one major peak per year, including:

Now, Everest is the final summit in this decades-long journey. The five of us—Brett, Chip, Dean, Tom, and David—will attempt it together in spring 2025. Though Alden can no longer climb due to medical issues, he remains a core part of the team’s spirit and legacy and will join us in Kathmandu to see us off.

Why We Climb

We’ve summited peaks around the world, but the most important ascent is the one we make for our children.

Each of us has witnessed how summer camp changes lives—especially for children growing up in under-resourced communities.

Camp provides:

Our Goal: Send 500 Children to Camp

Your gift makes that possible.

Join Our Climb

We’re not asking you to brave Everest with us—but we are asking you to join our mission.

Donate today and help us reach our goal of sending 300 children to camp this summer.

Together, we can transform a personal expedition into a collective legacy of opportunity, growth, and hope. Let’s reach new heights—for the next generation of adventurers, dreamers, and leaders.

Climb with us. Empower kids. Change lives.

About The Guardsmen

The Guardsmen is a San Francisco-based, all-volunteer nonprofit organization founded in 1947. Our mission is to make a life-changing difference in the lives of low-income children, and we do that by providing access to education opportunities. Through our Campership Program, we partner with accredited camps across the San Francisco Bay Area and send thousands of children to safe, structured summer programs that build leadership, resilience, and joy.

To learn more, visit: https://guardsmen.org/mission

The Guardsmen is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 94-1196194). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We hope you'll join The Guardsmen on September 7th at 7pm for Bay Area Rocks, a benefit concert featuring musicians such as Tony Lindsay from Santana, David Sikes from Boston, Hardy Hemphill & David Gould from Shania Twain's band, Jesse Bradman from Eddie Money & the Night Ranger, and Jeff Tamalier from Tower of Power. It will be a night of music and dancing to give back to the community!

Once we cross $10k in donations, an anonymous foundation will generously match the $10k and every subsequent donated dollar will be matched 1:1 up to $40k for a potential matching gift of $50k!

For those of you who are not able to show your support by attending, we ask you to please share this event with your Bay Area friends and/or make a donation toward our $31,000 goal ($1,000 for each member of our team of volunteers). No donation is too small and all proceeds will go directly toward providing Camperships and K-12 Scholarships for Bay Area kids from low-income households. A $315 donation supports one campership and a $2,200 donation supports one scholarship. To learn more about The Guardsmen's programs, please visit www.guardsmen.org.

For tickets to the event, please visit https://www.augusthallsf.com/event/13403714/bay-area-rocks-benefit-concert/.