EL SEGUNDO – The Los Angeles Lakers held their 26th annual charity golf tournament and dinner on Monday, raising over $400,000 for the Lakers Youth Foundation, it was announced today.
The event, held at the legendary Riviera Country Club, featured former Lakers players, other professional athletes, media personalities, and additional celebrities. Lakers Head Coach Byron Scott and all the members of the 2015-16 team attended the reception and dinner, and highlights included a Q&A session with Scott and Kobe Bryant, conducted by Lakers radio play-by-play announcer John Ireland.
The event’s presenting sponsor was MIR Audio Video - Bang & Olufsen, and other sponsors included Time Warner Cable, Verizon Wireless, Comerica Bank, East West Bank, Prudential Retirement, Chevron, Anheuser-Busch, adidas, and Delta Air Lines.
“This year’s event produced our best attendance ever and raised a record amount of money, all of which supports the wonderful work we’re able to do through the Lakers Youth Foundation,” said Lakers co-owner and Director of Charitable Services Janie Buss. “We are tremendously grateful to all of our sponsors, participants, and volunteers who made this such a successful event.”
The Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Foundation’s mission is to help underserved youth develop their potential by providing positive experiences and resources in education, health and wellness, and sports. The Foundation awards grants to other charities that support youth through direct services and programs in these areas. The Foundation provides thousands of Los Angeles children with access to quality programming, resources and safe places to learn and play, allowing them the opportunity to develop critical life skills and gain knowledge to pursue their dreams. To date the Foundation has funded a school teaching garden, 15 Lakers Reading & Learning Centers and 33 basketball courts throughout Los Angeles and Hawaii.
Since 1992 the Los Angeles Lakers Youth Foundation has been dedicated to helping today’s youth succeed and become successful adults. The Foundation’s signature programs include Jr. Lakers youth basketball, Lakers Read to Achieve, Fit for Life with the Lakers and Lakers Season of Giving presented by East West Bank, and has awarded over $7 million in monetary grants. Grant recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs, afterschool sports and educational programs, summer camps for children with serious medical conditions or disabilities, computer programming academics, and health and wellness programs.