In addition to their work on the field, work that has seen them go 5-1-2 in their last eight games to move into third place in the Western Conference, LA Galaxy players have been busy putting in the work to improve the lives of local children. Just two days ahead of the 4-0 win over Chivas USA last weekend, current and former Galaxy players took the time to help students with their back-to-school shopping. Then, on Monday, Edson Buddle surprised children at the Salvation Army L.A. Red Shield Youth & Community Center by speaking at their yearly Sports Awards Banquet.
Last Friday, eight lucky students from Children’s Institute, supported by Casa Herbalife, and the Union Rescue Mission, supported by the LA Galaxy Foundation went back-to-school shopping with some of their favorite Galaxy players. Landon Donovan, Todd Dunivant, Brian Perk, Jose Villarreal and Kenney Walker, along with Galaxy legends Mauricio Cienfuegos and Clint Mathis attended the event at Macy’s Culver City, and assisted students with back-to-school shopping ahead of the upcoming school year.
In partnership with Macy’s, each student received a $150 Macy’s gift card and had the opportunity to shop with one LA Galaxy player’s assistance, making sure that they have everything they need to start a new school year.
Players signed autographs for students and posed for pictures, along with Cozmo, and an array of snacks was provided for those participating.
On Monday night, with much of the team in Columbus ahead of Wednesday night’s 1-1 draw, Galaxy forward Edson Buddle attended the Salvation Army’s yearly Red Shield Sports Awards Banquet, which rewards children’s participation in the various sports and recreational programs.
During the ceremony, Buddle spoke about the importance of living an active lifestyle and never giving up on your dreams, he also advised those in attendance to take advantage of the facility, which includes a state-of-the-art soccer field, a basketball court, indoor swimming pool, computer lab and library.
Buddle helped present the awards to the MVPs of the various sports and also received an honorary award from the L.A. Red Shield Youth for being a Guest Speaker.
The Red Shield is a youth and community center which operates in the Pico-Union district of Los Angeles and mentors youth while providing guidance, offering educational and recreational programs in a positive and safe environment, while encouraging personal growth and self worth.
The club’s community outreach initiatives continued on Thursday night with the Galaxy Clinic Series at Kelly Park Community Center in Compton. Midfielder Dan Keat joined the Galaxy Academy Coaches to provide a free soccer clinic to 150 children from the Kelly Park Community Center. Additionally, Time Warner Cable SportsNet and Time Warner Deportes on-air personalities Andy Adler, Enrique Gutierrez, Heidi Watney and Martin Zuñiga met with the children, participated in an autograph session and helped out with non-soccer portion of the clinic. More on the clinic coming soon.
