More than sixty Los Angeles area children joined Lakers players, coaches, and staff for the Lakers Holiday Party for Kids as part of "A Season of Giving", presented by East West Bank. Kids from the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley, Boys and Girls Club of Carson, as well as the Salesian Boys and Girls Club were treated to an afternoon of holiday fun.
The kids met at the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, for a holiday lunch that featured a kid friendly menu, a visit from the Laker Girls, and holiday themed activities. The kids dressed in their matching t-Shirts and Lakers themed Santa hats, enjoyed playing video games, decorating gingerbread cookies, and listening to seasonal music while holiday movies played in the background.
Adding to the holiday cheer, the kids then joined the Lakers players and coaches across the street at the teams practice facility. The team, who had just completed practice, met the children on the court to wish them a happy holiday. Each child had the chance to get their picture taken with the team and participate in a basketball skills clinic taught by Lakers coaches and players. During this clinic the kids were honing their defense technique, passing skills and perfecting their dribbling while learning from their idols.
Lakers players then gathered together to pass out holiday gifts bags to the children complete with Lakers rally towels, basketballs, water bottles, East West Bank blankets and their printed photo with the team. The children bid farewell to the Lakers with a loud and happy thank you as the players left for the locker room.
"The Lakers Holiday Party for Kids, was a total success, for the kids and the team." said Alison Tolladay, Lakers Community Relations Coordinator, "It’s a chance for the team to give back during a time of the year when it’s especially appreciated."
The Lakers were happy to give and the kids were ecstatic to receive not only a few fun souvenirs but more importantly memories that will last a lifetime.