The past few years have brought new challenges to families during the holidays, and AEG’s LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) are working hard to ensure that families in Carson, CA and Los Angeles, CA are able to celebrate the season and make memories with their loved ones.
On Wednesday, November 16, the LA Galaxy Foundation partnered with Herbalife and The Garden School Foundation to host the annual Herbalife Thanksgiving Cookoff. This year, LA Galaxy player, Eriq Zavaleta, teamed up with LEVY’s Executive Chef Matthew Lindblom to teach more than 60 students from Leapwood Avenue Elementary School and Annalee Elementary School how to prepare a Thanksgiving meal from scratch. The students helped mash, stir, and cut vegetables as they prepared a three-course meal that included “Three Sisters Succoatash”, “Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich” and a “Apple Crisp Cannoli”. Before their lunch, students were treated to a tour of Dignity Health Sports Park led by Gabriel Osollo, Manager of Community Relations, and Foundation at the LA Galaxy.
Additionally, on Friday, November 18, Dignity Health Community Foundation and the LA Galaxy Foundation hosted their 19th Annual Thanksgiving Foundations’ Feast at the stadium. More than 50 AEG staff joined, former LA Galaxy player A.J. DeLaGarza and the club’s on-air announcer, Joe Tutino, to serve Thanksgiving dinner meals to more than 250 local families in need. In addition to sharing a meal, the event featured fun arts and crafts, activities, and gift bags.
“We are grateful for the support of so many employees who generously donate their time to these activities,” said Gabriel Osollo. “The pandemic has created enormous isolation and food insecurity across Los Angeles. These events let us bring people from across the South Bay together – safely – to share a holiday meal and reminds us of the power and joy that comes from community.”
This year’s Thanksgiving Foundations’ Feast was made possible by donations from the LA Galaxy, Dignity Health Sports Park, Levy Restaurants, Coca-Cola, Ken’s Ice Cream, Melissa’s and LAUSD Homeless Education Program.
