Carson, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy hosted more than 200 disadvantaged children from throughout the Los Angeles area yesterday at the second annual "Kicks For Kids" Holiday Party at Boomers! of Irvine, an event made possible by several Galaxy community partners.
Many of the children in attendance at the party had participated in the Galaxy's "Kicks For Kids" program throughout the 2004 Major League Soccer season. Galaxy midfielders Peter Vagenas and Ned Grabavoy celebrated the holidays with the children, playing several video games and even challenging some of them to go-kart races.
"I know that the circumstances surrounding some of these kids are not the best," said Vagenas. "I am sure that they have bad days like I never could imagine. But, I hope the fun that we all had today will give them happiness and will allow them to smile a little more this holiday season."
In addition to the 2004 "Kicks For Kids" community partners, the following companies contributed to the presentation of the second-annual event: Ace Clearwater Enterprises, Boomers! of Irvine, The Orange County Transportation Authority, Phiten USA Inc., Quality Inn by Choice Hotels, Rampage FC, SCS Engineering, See's Candies, Sprint, Stremicks Heritage Foods and Tony Roma's. </p>
The Kicks for Kids program gives businesses, corporations, and individuals the opportunity to provide Galaxy tickets through the Galaxy Foundation to non-profit organizations that benefit inner city, at-risk and disadvantaged children. On June 12, 2004, more than 8,000 Los Angeles-area children were given the opportunity to chance to attend the game between the Galaxy and the Chicago Fire as a part of "Kids Day Out", a Kicks For Kids initiative.</p>
The Galaxy Foundation is proud to announce its 2004 "Kicks for Kids" sponsor, L.A. Care Health Plan. L.A. Care Health Plan is a publicly-governed health maintenance organization and public health resource serving Los Angeles County, with nearly 800,000 members who receive coverage through the Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and CaliforniaKids Programs. L.A. Care also administers the Healthy Kids Program, which is funded by First 5 LA. L.A. Care is one of the largest health plans in California and one of the nation's largest government-sponsored health plans.
Los Angeles Galaxy Holiday Gift Packs are already on sale for the club's tenth season in 2005. For as little as $69, fans will receive four tickets to opening day in 2005, one Decade of Stars commemorative scarf, a Galaxy soccer ball and a Galaxy holiday card. For more information or to purchase Holiday Packs, call the Galaxy ticket office toll-free at 1-877-3GALAXY.
