CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015) – The LA Galaxy Foundation, in conjunction with U.S. Soccer Foundation, KaBOOM!, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and Beyond the Bell announced the installation of an acrylic soccer mini-pitch at John Muir Middle School that will provide a safe place for children to play, learn and grow. LA Galaxy President Chris Klein will attend the grand opening event of the new pitch on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 3:45 p.m. PT.
The LA Galaxy Foundation donated $24,000 to enable Beyond the Bell to install the acrylic soccer mini-pitch to allow aspiring soccer players in Los Angeles to have a unique new place to practice their skills.
“The opportunity that these mini pitches will give the students and surrounding community of Muir Middle School in South Los Angeles to play the beautiful game, comes at a perfect time,” said Howard Serpas, Program Coordinator at the Los Angeles Unified School District. “These gorgeous fields bring light to a student body who is rich in energy and anxious to show the positive impact that can be accomplished when great organizations like KaBOOM!, U.S. Soccer Foundation and the LA Galaxy take initiative and give back to our communities. Thank you all for your generosity and thinking of the students in Los Angeles Unified Schools District.”
The core mission of Beyond the Bell is to, ensure that all children and youth in the LAUSD have access to high quality, safe, and supervised education, enrichment, and recreation programs that engage and inspire learning and achievement beyond the regular school day. The Let’s Play Mini Pitch grant seeks to strengthen and revitalize the community by providing a beautiful space for the youth and adults of the community to play soccer.
As part of a longstanding partnership with Beyond the Bell Program, LA Galaxy visited LAUSD elementary schools through the 20 for Twenty community program in celebration of Read Across America earlier this year. The event encouraged students to begin their participation in the LA Galaxy Kick Start Reading Challenge, which rewards students after reading a select amount of minutes to receive various LA Galaxy items. In total, approximately 3,500 students from Southern California participated in the Kick Start Reading Challenge.
The winner of the LA Galaxy Kick Start Reading Challenge was honored during the Galaxy’s home game on June 6 at StubHub Center for reading over 4,000+ minutes over the course of two months.
The LA Galaxy Foundation also honored LAUSD as the official Community Partner of the Match with exclusive in-game programming on June 6. LAUSD was featured in Soccerfest with a pregame “Stuff the Bus” school supplies drive at StubHub Center benefiting LAUSD’s Homeless Education program.
For more information about LAUSD’s Beyond the Bell program, please visit www.btb.lausd.net.
WHO:
- LA Galaxy President Chris Klein
- Muir Principal Aminika Readeux
- Executive Director, Beyond the Bell Alvaro Cortés
- CEO, LA Promise Veronica Melvin
- Director of Government Affairs, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Gina Mordeaux
WHAT:
- LA Galaxy Foundation partner with Beyond the Bell, U.S. Soccer Foundation to install new mini-pitch at John Muir Middle School
WHEN:
- Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015
- Pitch opening: 3:45 p.m. PT
WHERE:
- John Muir Middle School
- 5929 S Vermont Ave.
- Los Angeles, CA 90044
About LA Galaxy Foundation
The LA Galaxy Foundation, the 501c(3) organization associated with 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 LAGF 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.
About Beyond the Bell
Beyond the Bell Branch (BTB) is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second largest school district in the nation. The boundaries spread over 720 square miles and include the mega-city of Los Angeles as well as all or parts of 31 smaller municipalities plus several unincorporated sections of Southern California. BTB offers award winning out-of-school time (before and after school and Saturdays) programs at the elementary, middle, and high school level to more than 100,000 students every day. BTB’s mission is to ensure that all children and youth in LAUSD have access to free, high quality, safe, and supervised academic, enrichment, and recreation programs that inspire learning and achievement beyond the regular school day. For more information visit www.btb.lausd.netor TWITTER @BTBLA
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $100 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
About Let’s Play
Let’s Play is an initiative launched in 2011 by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to provide the tools, places and inspiration to make play a daily priority. By 2017, DPS will provide nearly 10 million children across North America with new opportunities to play and be active through Let’s Play. In partnership with the nonprofit organizations KaBOOM! and Good Sports, Let’s Play is working to eliminate the ‘play deficit’ by building and improving play spaces and providing grants for athletic equipment and gear. For more information, please visit LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.
About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have 6 of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit www.DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at www.Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or www.Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.
About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.
