DECEMBER 21, 2022
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Lakers today concluded their annual Season of Giving, presented by East West Bank for the last 16 years, with the Holiday Party for Kids, wrapping a series of events spreading joy and holiday cheer to local communities. The Lakers’ Season of Giving began in November with the annual Thanksgiving Feast and Turkey Giveaway.
This year, the Annual Holiday Party for Kids was held at the UCLA Health Training Center and hosted groups from After-School All Stars and Alliance College-Ready Public Schools. In addition to playing games and making holiday crafts, the kids spent time with current Lakers players, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Thomas Bryant, as well as the Laker Girls and volunteers from the Lakers organization and East West Bank. Each child also went home with a Lakers gift.
“East West Bank is honored to be a part of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Season of Giving event series,” said Travis Kiyota, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Corporate Affairs at East West Bank. “It is a special tradition that gives us a chance to show our appreciation to our local communities. We simply cannot express enough gratitude for this unique and exciting opportunity to serve.”
In November, the Los Angeles Lakers and East West Bank kicked off the Season of Giving series by teaming up for the annual Thanksgiving Feast and Turkey Giveaway. Held at the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, the annual Thanksgiving Feast brought together nearly 200 guests from various community partners, including Los Angeles Fire Department’s Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, Heart of LA, Mixed Roots, Boys & Girls Club West San Gabriel Valley, and Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena. The team of volunteers, which included Lakers Legend Robert Horry, the Lakers Girls, and EWB associates, served up a delicious feast from Lucille’s BBQ Smokehouse and facilitated a variety of holiday games and activities for guests.
A few days after the Thanksgiving Feast, the Los Angeles Lakers and East West Bank hosted the Turkey Giveaway. At the event, volunteers served hot meals and gave away turkeys to over 300 families at the Salvation Army LA Red Shield Community Center. Volunteers included Lakers Legends AC Green, Robert Horry and Lamar Odom, the Laker Girls, and EWB associates.
“Our annual Season of Giving is an opportunity to show our gratitude to our local communities for their support throughout the year,” said Matt Makovec, Los Angeles Lakers Director of Community Relations. “Alongside East West Bank, we hope that those who were able to join us for the holiday festivities had an unforgettable time with our volunteers, current and former Lakers players, and the Laker Girls, and were able to create memories that will last a lifetime.”