LA Galaxy Foundation announces 20 For Twenty program

CARSON, Calif. (Monday, Feb. 23, 2015) – The LA Galaxy Foundation announced today the launch of 20 for Twenty, a year-long initiative that will see the implementation of 20 unique community service acts to celebrate the Galaxy’s 20th season in Major League Soccer. The 20 for Twenty program will kick off on Wednesday, Feb. 25 with LA Galaxy Build Day with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles in Lynwood, California.


“We’re extremely excited and proud to launch 20 for Twenty during the Galaxy’s 20th season in MLS,” said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein. “The LA Galaxy remains committed to serving the local community in which the Galaxy play and this program affords us multiple opportunities to give back to the various individuals and communities that have supported our club over the past 20 years.”


20 for Twenty will see LA Galaxy players, coaches, alumni and front office members participate in 20 unique and separate full-day service projects to benefit communities surrounding the greater Los Angeles area. LA Galaxy Build Day with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles on Feb. 25 will feature Galaxy front office staff, players, alumni, academy personnel and Cozmo assisting with roofing, landscaping, and painting at a designated site in Lynwood. A full schedule of 20 for Twenty programming will be announced throughout the course of the 2015 season.


“The 20 for Twenty program celebrates 20 years of team history in Los Angeles through a variety of community projects that promote positive change,” Community Relations and LA Galaxy Foundation Manager Lauren Nowinski said. “We continually strive to be active participants in the community by promoting healthy lifestyles and generosity and this program allows us to interact with multiple philanthropic organizations through fun and engaging service opportunities.”


Last year, the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy Foundation led numerous initiatives and spent countless hours serving the Los Angeles community. In Fall 2014, the Galaxy Foundation invested funds to create the LA Galaxy Field at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South Los Angeles, giving the local community a venue to play soccer and feature weekly Soccer For Success programs. Additionally, 2014 saw an expanded partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles after becoming an official sponsor of their Sports Medicine Conference and Sports Medicine program at the hospital.


In the fall and winter of 2014, the Galaxy Foundation formed a new partnership with A Place Called Home (APCH) in South Central Los Angeles, where the two organizations teamed up with Herbalife to serve over 2,000 families Thanksgiving meals and donated toys to over 3,000 youths in LA during the holiday season.The Galaxy Foundation and MLS WORKS also refurbished a multi-purpose synthetic field at APCH to provide a new field surface, a scoreboard, lights, cleats, and enough new kits for the 17 teams and approximately 500 athletes that participate in organized soccer programing provided by APCH. 


WHAT:             

LA Galaxy Foundation’s 20 for Twenty launch


WHO:              

LA Galaxy President Chris Klein


LA Galaxy players


LA Galaxy front office


LA Galaxy mascot Cozmo


WHEN:            

Wednesday, Feb. 25


8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. PT


*1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. PT (Open to media upon player arrival)
WHERE:          

3305 Magnolia Ave.


Lynwood, CA 90262


ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, Habitat LA has built and repaired more than 1,000 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. Habitat LA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to non-profits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663.


ABOUT LA GALAXY FOUNDATION

The LA Galaxy Foundation, the non-profit arm of the LA Galaxy, is dedicated to assisting the community in which the team lives, works, and plays. LA Galaxy players, coaches, alumni and staff spend countless hours giving back to the community at local schools, hospitals, fields, and events. The Foundation continually strives to aid organizations that meet its mission of supporting and creating education, health, and soccer-related activities and programs for youth in the greater Los Angeles area. For more information, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/community/foundation