LAGSD staff handing over our donation to Champions for Health Executive Director Adama Dyoniziak
On Saturday, December 1, 2018, LA Galaxy San Diego held the 6th annual Giving Back fundraiser. The fundraiser consisted of in-house scrimmages between our younger competitive teams, with volunteer referees and LAGSD competitive coaches ensuring that games went smoothly. Like previous years, the event was a huge success, raising a total of $10,030. Add this total to our previous five giving back events and we have now managed to raise over $70,000 for worthy community causes since this fundraising event’s inception. These raised monies have made a life changing impact and, in certain instances, a life saving impact in our local community.
This year we split the raised monies between two worthy local charities; the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation and Champions for Health. In return for our donations, both foundations held events for our LA Galaxy San Diego members. On December 1st, during the Giving Back event, Champions for health held a free flu shot clinic in which several hundred received the free vaccination – the clinic was so popular that they ran out of vaccines. Then on Saturday, January 12, 2019, the EP Save A Life foundation held a free heart screening clinic for our members, which we in turn opened up to the public. 351 12-25 year olds were screened with 4 abnormalities detected but none diagnosed seriously at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
LAGSD President, Skye O’Grady, commented, “As we reflect on our most recent charity friendlies, our goal of a continued commitment to our community was a success due to the dedication and support of our amazing volunteers. We look to 2019 to carry on this legacy of giving back and extend our appreciation to all that help in making our club one that cares.”
Joe Crotty & Glenn Malone from LAGSD hand over the donation to Hector Paredes & Rhina Paredes-Greeson from the EP Save A Life foundation
“It’s been an honor to work with the EP Save a Life Foundation and Champions for Health,” added LAGSD Club Manager, Natalie Eckerlin. “Both organizations do amazing and in many cases life saving work in the community and we are grateful to be able to support them in their efforts. We greatly appreciate both organizations partnering with us to help keep our members and our community healthy via offering a free heart screening and free flu shot clinic.”
Champions for Health, Executive Director, Adama Dyoniziak, commented, “The Giving Back fundraiser was an unexpected gift for us. The $5036 will be used to provide free medicine and diagnostic tests for our Project Access for their specialist physician appointments. Project Access San Diego works community clinics who refer people in need of specialty care consultations, procedures and surgeries, who are at 250% poverty level and are not eligible for any public benefits. Our volunteer physicians and facilities provide these services pro bono, resulting in more than $17Million in services since 2008.
“Our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the LA Galaxy San Diego Soccer Club, commented Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation Program Manager, Joanie Moes. “Your generosity of time, energy and financial support have allowed us to provide hundreds of free heart screenings to youth in our community as a direct result of your partnership. We could not do what we do without YOU!”
To view a selection of pictures from the January 12 heart screening please click here.
These events define our club and our community spirit. We really appreciate your help and know that the Mitchell Thorp Foundation and the families they assist are extremely grateful for your support!
The EP Save A Life volunteers pictured at our Jan 12, 2019 Heart Screening event at the Carlsbad Senior Center
