2018 LA GALAXY IN THE COMMUNIT Y
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
To the Galaxy Fans, Family and Friends, The 2018 season provided plenty of highlights. Our continued dedication to creating a positive impact in our community is one that I am most proud of and I am honored to work within an organization that uses the sport we love, soccer, as a common denominator, breaking down social barriers, ultimately uniting us all. This year we took leaps forward in our Women’s Leadership Program, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere that drives our student athletes to new aspirations and goals. Having two daughters of my own, I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of this program and am excited to see its expansion in the future. On behalf of the LA Galaxy, I hope you enjoy the stories and highlights of our 2018 Community season. Thank you for your continued support and involvement. It is through your generous acts that we can continue to serve our community and impact the lives of so many.
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CHRIS KLEIN
President
SCORING OUR GOALS WE VALUE OUR FANS, WHOSE PASSION IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR CLUB. WE VALUE OUR TEAM AND ARE COMMITTED TO NURTURING TALENT THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION. WE VALUE OUR COMMUNITY BY EMBRACING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE A POSITIVE IMPACT THROUGH THE SPORT OF SOCCER. WE VALUE OUR PARTNERS AND COLLABORATE WITH OPENNESS AND TRUST TO DELIVER MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES.
IN-KIND DONATIONS IN 2018 The LA Galaxy Foundation provided over $43,000 in In-Kind Donations in 2018.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Donated over $400,000 to our Community Partners: Playworks, Special Olympics Southern California, Garden School Foundation, Positive Coaching Alliance, Children’s Institute, A Place Called Home, Street Soccer USA, Tommy’s Field and United Way.
RISING STARS Through the Rising Stars program, our community ticketing program, we provided tickets to 131 different non-profits and groups to invite underprivileged youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a LA Galaxy home game. S C O R I NG O UR G O A L S
1,043
7,500
VOLUNTEER HOURS
YOUTH IMPACTED THROUGH SOCCER CLINICS, RISING STAR PROGRAMS AND GALAXY GIVING EVENTS.
MLS WORKS MLS WORKS is the league-wide community outreach initiative that serves as a platform for addressing social issues and improving local communities through sport.
KICK CHILDHOOD CANCER The LA Galaxy participated in Major League Soccer’s 5th annual Kick Childhood Cancer Campaign, raising awareness for Children’s Oncology Group by wearing Kick Childhood Cancer shirts pregame. The autographed shirts were later auctioned off, with proceeds benefitting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Additionally, the LA Galaxy hosted cancer survivor Sal Bellomo from Moorpark AYSO for a team training session and a home match in partnership with the Austen Everett Foundation.
GIFT OF LIFE - Partnering with Gift of Life Marrow Registry, the LA
Galaxy Foundation helped collect cheek swabs for potential bone marrow transplants. The LA Galaxy Foundation later facilitated the first meeting between Seth, a cancer survivor, and Aaron, his marrow donor, at halftime of a match.
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SOCCER FOR ALL In May we celebrated our 5th annual Pride Night and the LGBTQ community in Los Angeles in support of Soccer For All. A portion of Pride Night ticket packages were donated to You Can Play, a project working for equality in sports. West Coast Singers, the third oldest LGBTQ mixed-voice chorus in the country performed the national anthem while LA Galaxy players wore “Soccer for All” shirts in support of the night.
GREENER GOALS WEEK OF SERVICE During MLS Greener Goals Week of Service, LA Galaxy supported Parley for the Oceans by wearing jerseys created from technical yarns made from Parley Ocean Plastic. The LA Galaxy collaborated with Surfrider Foundation for an in-stadium recycling collection during the April 21st home match.
MLS WORKS
INCLUSION The LA Galaxy Foundation uses soccer to unite people from all walks of life. We seek to provide opportunities for everyone to participate in the sport we love.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED TEAM The LA Galaxy Special Olympics Southern California Unified Team had another successful season, including a dramatic, stoppage-time victory versus Real Salt Lake’s Unified Team. The LA Galaxy, partnering with Special Olympics Southern California, also hosted the LAUSD Unified Soccer Division 2 South League Finals held at StubHub Center.
POWER SOCCER LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget became a mentor for a local Power Soccer team. Power Soccer is the first competitive team sport designed specifically for power wheelchair users.
5 I NC L US I O N
WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SERIES WOMEN'S SOCCER CLINIC
The 2018 LA Galaxy Women’s Leadership Series kicked off ahead of the LA Galaxy home opener with a soccer clinic to celebrate International Women’s Day. In collaboration with our community partner Playworks, the clinic hosted local 4th and 5th grade girls for an afternoon of soccer and leadership development alongside LA Galaxy Girls’ Academy players. LA GALAXY CAREER FAIR
In March the LA Galaxy Foundation hosted a career fair, including a networking panel of talent acquisition staff members from Los Angeles sports and entertainment organizations. HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SUMMIT
Our first High School Girls’ Summit was the latest in a series of female empowerment seminars we’ve hosted. This summit brought together over 100 female student-athletes to meet and learn from female executives in Los Angeles’s sports and entertainment industry.
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EDUCATION The LA Galaxy Foundation strives to provide educational opportunities for underserved youth in Los Angeles.
PROTECT THE PITCH In collaboration with Garden School Foundation, the Protect the Pitch initiative invites local elementary students to StubHub Center to learn about our sustainability efforts and participate in a cooking class.
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READ ACROSS AMERICA Over 250 2nd and 3rd graders from nearby Towne Avenue and Leapwood Elementary Schools visited StubHub Center to play soccer and read their favorite Dr. Seuss books with the help of LA Galaxy and LA Chargers players.
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY CLINIC SERIES LA Galaxy Foundation hosted 20 non-profit organizations at LA Galaxy Community Clinics throughout the year. The Community Clinic Series included a 60-minute soccer lesson by LA Galaxy clinic coaches and a 30-minute Positive Coaching Alliance workshop. Many clinic participants also learned about healthful living Herbalife Nutrition talks and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles preventative injury discussions.
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VOLUNTEERISM We use soccer as a platform to improve our community by celebrating mutual respect, recognizing everyone’s contributions and taking pride in the diversity that is Los Angeles.
GALAXY GIVING As part of the LA Galaxy Foundation’s volunteer initiative, LA Galaxy staff participated in beautification projects, building an edible garden at Leapwood Elementary School and restoring the playground at Community Preparatory Academy Carson.
CHLA TEAM VISIT LA Galaxy players visited Children's Hospital Los Angeles to greet patients and serve hot chocolate.
SHOES THAT FIT LA Galaxy Foundation and LA Galaxy II provided 100 pairs of new shoes to low-income students at Catskill Avenue Elementary School.
URM (UNION RESCUE MISSION) Over 30 LA Galaxy Front Office and Supporters volunteered at Union Rescue Mission's "FryDay" providing a Thanksgiving meal for over 3,000 people in Skid Row.
VOLUNTEERISM
CARSON COMMUNITY EVENTS EASTER EGG HUNT
The 12th annual Easter Egg Hunt welcomed over 1,000 kids to hop around StubHub Center in search of prizes. TREATS-N-SUITES
The LA Galaxy Foundation decorated a suite at StubHub Center for the 12th annual Treats-N-Suites, at which over 1,500 kids enjoyed Halloween festivities at our stadium. FOUNDATION'S FEAST
LA Galaxy Foundation and StubHub Center Foundation hosted the 15th Annual Thanksgiving Foundations’ Feast at StubHub Center’s American Express Stadium Club. LA Galaxy staff and LA Galaxy Boys’ Academy members served food to the 250 children and families invited.
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MILITARY SUPPORT The LA Galaxy Foundation is committed to honoring police, fire and military personnel as they continue to serve our community and protect our loved ones.
HERO OF THE GAME PROGRAM The LA Galaxy Hero of the Game program highlights police, fire and military personnel and their families by recognizing them at LA Galaxy home matches for their heroic bravery and sacrifices.
LA FLEET WEEK The LA Galaxy Foundation welcomed 50 United States Sea Service members for an afternoon of soccer and to meet LA Galaxy players.
MILITARY SUPPORT
JULY 4TH REUNION Navy Crew Member Aaron Ballew was stationed in Okinawa, Japan when his wife delivered their first child. With the help of Alaska Airlines, Ballew flew 5,000 miles to surprise his wife and newborn daughter at halftime of the LA Galaxy’s match on the Fourth of July.
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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT In the 2018 season, these three LA Galaxy players epitomized leadership in their communities, volunteering in LA Galaxy Foundation events and serving as role models to youth.
DANIEL STERES In his third season with the LA Galaxy, Steres continues to demonstrate his dedication to the community, serving as a mentor to the LA Galaxy’s Special Olympics Unified Team, representing the LA Galaxy at Read Across America, visiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles visit and as a spokesperson for the relief fund telethon benefitting Woolsey Fire victims.
SEBASTIAN LLETGET The Galaxy midfielder celebrated MLS’s Soccer For All initiative in June by meeting with local Power Soccer players before they left to play in their national tournament. Power Soccer is the first team sport designed for power wheelchair users. After one of the team members passed away, Lletget continued his support, auctioning off his autographed cleats, with all the proceeds benefitting Duchenne muscular dystrophy research and treatment.
HUGO ARELLANO Raised in nearby Norwalk, Arellano has represented Galaxy II at multiple events this year, including serving as the representative for the Protect the Pitch Initiative and volunteering at the Shoes that Fit event.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION The LA Galaxy Foundation (LAGF), the 501(C)(3) organization associated with the LA Galaxy, is dedicated to assisting the community in which the team lives, works and plays. Through soccer programming that promotes inclusion for all athletes, education opportunities, and a strong spirit of volunteerism, LAGF is proud to facilitate over 150 events annually and has donated over $5 million dollars to support the local Los Angeles community.
LA GALAXY GOLF TOURNAMENT LA Galaxy Foundation relaunched the LA Galaxy Golf Tournament at Pelican Hill Golf Club. The golf tournament raised over 100K to grow the beautiful game of soccer and inspire the next generation of leaders to be true champions for Los Angeles, both on and off the field.
LA GALAXY STREET SOCCER TOURNAMENT Saturday, August 18th marked the Inaugural Street Soccer USA CupLos Angeles, presented by the LA Galaxy Foundation, at Microsoft Square in L.A. LIVE. Featuring over 30 futsal teams, the Street Soccer USA Cup-Los Angeles showcased the dynamic culture connecting soccer and the people of Los Angeles. This event served as the center piece of non-profit Street Soccer USA’s LA programing which supports low-income and homeless youth as well as those in recovery. 230 youth from Children’s Institute, Operation Progress and Union Rescue Mission were invited to participate in the event.
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2018 SPONSORS
THE LA GALAXY IS PROUD TO SUPPORT
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2018
LA GALAXY
IN THE COMMUNITY
LA_GALAXY_FOUNDATION TEXT "GALAXY" TO 52182 TO REGISTER AND BID ON LA GALAXY MEMORABILIA LAGALAXY.COM/COMMUNITY
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