Rowan Kavner
LOS ANGELES – Cole Aldrich said he considers himself a Vincent Van Gogh or a Pablo Picasso. He got to put that to the test Thursday afternoon while helping the community.
Aldrich joined teammate Paul Pierce as the Clippers brought staff, season-ticket holders and players to volunteer for the City Year Day of Service at 109th Street Elementary School in Watts.
The players helped with the school beautification project, which included mural painting, a distribution of school supplies, a refurbished computer lab and a complete installation of playground basketball hoops.
“Nothing feels better than helping another kid succeed,” said Pierce, who grew up in Inglewood. “I wish I had these types of computer skills or a computer at my school. First time I ever got on a computer was in college, so these kids are way ahead of the game these days, and I’m happy I can lend a helping hand in that.”
Pierce said the more players can help educate the kids in any way they can, the better the future.
“You never know,” Pierce said, “right now we could be sitting in the room with a future president. When I look up 20 years from now, I could say I was there and helped them, I brought computers to that school. You just never know.”
The elementary school is one of five in the Watts community the Clippers are sponsoring through City Year. Erin Ross, the managing director of development for City Year Los Angeles, said after a tour of the schools, the Clippers fell in love with 109th Street Elementary and wanted to help out however possible.
With brand new basketball hoops, six new murals and of course a new computer lab, they were able to do that.
“It’s just extraordinary,” Ross said. “The Clippers are such an extraordinary partner, because this school has needs that City Year cannot fulfill. We’re able to tutor the kids and provide consistent adult mentorship, but things like a new computer lab, which will be a total game changer for the students, only are possible with a partner like the Clippers and the L.A. Clippers Foundation.”
City Year is an education-focused, nonprofit organization founded in 1988 that partners with public schools and teachers to help keep students in school and on track to succeed. More than 3,000 students a year will be impacted by the L.A. Clippers Foundation’s new partnership with City Year Los Angeles in the five targeted schools.
The Clippers are Aldrich’s fifth different team since he entered the league, but he said they rank at the top when it comes to giving back.
“It’s really cool to see what they do in the community,” Aldrich said. “It’s been fun, painting and opening the computer lab for the kids. We’re playing some games right now, so we’re having some fun. I’m sure later on they’ll be doing some homework on it, but City Year and the Clippers Foundation have just done a great job.”
Ana Estevez, the principal of 109th Street Elementary School, said it was evident how excited the children were about what took place Thursday.
“Now, with the generosity of the Clippers Foundation, we’re able to close the digital gap a little bit more for our children,” Estevez said. “Many of my students don’t have access to current technology, so donating 31 computers to our children is just an incredible act of kindness and generosity.”