SMBGC CEO Aaron Young, SMBGC Board President Bud Pernoll, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce President Lauren Rosen, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Vice President Frank Sanchez looked on as SMBGC Club kids cut the ribbon on the new basketball court made possible by a gift from the LeBron James Family Foundation.
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 17, 2010 – The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica (SMBGC) yesterday unveiled the Club’s new basketball court/outdoor play area that was made possible by a generous gift from the LeBron James Family Foundation. This is the first project completed using funds raised by the Foundation surrounding July’s ESPN TV special during which James announced that he would join the NBA’s Miami Heat. A gift totaling $3 million in cash and in-kind donations from HP and Nike was raised during the broadcast to support youth Programs, and build and refurbish vital facilities at local Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
“The LeBron James Family Foundation is proud to be partnering with the Boys and Girls Club on this great initiative,” said LeBron James. Our goal is to empower young people and to encourage kids to stay fit and be active. The Boys and Girls Club and I want to ensure children have opportunities that lay the foundation for them to realize their dreams,” James added.
It was fitting that two Club kids had the honor of conducting the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, as SMBGC CEO Aaron Young, SMBGC Board President Bud Pernoll, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce President Lauren Rosen, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Vice President Frank Sanchez looked on (and helped with the huge scissors!). Club supporter and Fox Sports radio host and anchor Deb Carson served as the event’s emcee and rallied the 100 Club kids to a group “Thank You!” to LeBron James. Following the ceremony, the kids eagerly hit the new courts for some drills.
“This day is very nostalgic for me,” said Aaron Young during the afternoon event. “This is what this area looked like when I came to the Club as a kid, except the hoops are much nicer now than then!”
The new court/outdoor play area includes seven courts with adjustable hoops. The court replaces a wooden skate park that took up most of the Club’s outdoor area for 12 years and was removed earlier this year. The new court area will allow SMBGC to provide more sports, fitness and recreation programs including basketball, tennis, baseball, soccer and roller hockey, and serve hundreds more young people each year.
“At the Santa Monica Boys & Girls Clubs we’re all about having an impact on our members and ultimately on the community,” said Aaron Young.” But to have that level of impact, we count on the investment of individuals and organizations like the LeBron James Family Foundation. So we thank you for doing this.”
About The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica: Founded in 1944, Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Monica currently serves approximately 7,000 youth through memberships and community outreach. They come from all over Los Angeles County, largely from Santa Monica, Venice, West Los Angeles and Inglewood. Members pay a $20 annual fee for access to all Club amenities and programs that span across education, leadership, recreation and more. The Club operates with the objective of serving children from all backgrounds, regardless of economic circumstances – ensuring that youth ages 7 to 18 have a safe and nurturing environment to develop socially, succeed in school, stay physically active and prepare for positive futures. For more information, visit us at www.begreatsantamonica.org, or follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/smbgcfan) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/SMBGC).