CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014) – The LA Galaxy Foundation and MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, have partnered with A Place Called Home (APCH) to refurbish a multi-purpose synthetic turf field at the facility located in South Central Los Angeles this Thursday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. PT. MLS WORKS and the LA Galaxy Foundation will 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.
On Thursday, LA Galaxy players will join executives from MLS and the LA Galaxy to officially unveil the field as well as participate in a meet and greet with youth participants. Players and executives will be available for photos and interviews following the 3:00 p.m. PT field dedication event.
In addition to the field refurbishment, The LA Galaxy Foundation will continue to collect toys to benefit A Place Called Home for the Holidays, an annual event that benefits more than 3,000 children in the Los Angeles area.
Fans can make toy donations at the main gates of StubHub Center or at the LA Galaxy Foundation booth during Sunday’s MLS Cup match. In addition, donations can also be dropped off at the LA Galaxy offices located at StubHub Center on weekdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. PT through Friday, Dec. 5.
WHAT:
MLS WORKS & LA Galaxy to unveil enhancements to A Place Called Home facilities. LA Galaxy players will join executives from MLS and LA Galaxy to officially unveil the multi-purpose synthetic turf field and participate in soccer drills.
WHEN:
Thursday, December 4
3:00 p.m. PT
Individual interviews to follow field dedication ceremony
WHERE:
A Place Called Home 2830 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011
WHO:
Don Garber, Commissioner, Major League Soccer
JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative Officer, Major League Soccer
Jonathan Zeichner, Executive Director, A Place Called Home
Chris Klein, President, LA Galaxy
Dan Beckerman, CEO & President, AEG
Martha Saucedo, VP External Affairs, AEG
LA Galaxy Players:
A.J. DeLaGarza, 2014 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year
Omar Gonzalez
Rafael Garcia
James Riley
Jose Villarreal
Oscar Sorto
Bradford Jamieson IV
CONTACT:
Lauren Hayes, MLS Communications
Email: Lauren.Hayes@MLSsoccer.com
Phone: (708) 921-6504
About MLS WORKS
MLS WORKS is Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. For more information visit the website at www.MLSsoccer.com/mlsworks or follow us on Twitter (@MLSWORKS).
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
About A Place Called Home
At A Place Called Home, caring staff, supporters and volunteers come together to provide South Central children and teens 8 years old – 21 years old with love, safety, enrichment, training, and opportunities through educational programs, counseling, and mentorship. After-school, weekend, and all-day summer programs and services include tutoring and homework support, as well as a full spectrum of instruction in the arts, athletics, dance and music. Our high school dropout recovery partnership with LAUSD is open in the mornings and we provide year-round support for college preparation, SAT tutoring, and college counseling and scholarships. A Place Called Home is a safe haven in South Central Los Angeles where underserved youth are empowered to take ownership of the quality and direction of their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being and are inspired to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world. For further information, please visit www.apch.org.
