Local Wal-Mart and EA Sports Support YWCA GLA Job Corps

Friday January 14, 2011

« Back To News

In-kind Donations Makes a Huge Impact on Los Angeles Youth

In November 2010, over 75 YWCA GLA Job Corps' students had the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one workout and fitness demonstration with superstar tennis player Venus Williams decked out in fitness attire, courtesy of both the Baldwin Hills and Torrance Wal-Mart stores. EA SPORTS brought in Williams to launch the girls' holiday season with the gift of fitness.

"We were very excited that the Job Corps students were able to participate in the event," said Annette Robbins, Student Government Association (SGA) Advisor for the YW Job Corps. "I only had $20 per student to assemble an entire outfit including shoes, an impossible task, so I knew that I had to find an event sponsor" said Robbins.

Both the Baldwin Hills and Torrance Wal-Mart store managers immediately connected to the passion of helping underserved youth with something as simple, yet impactful, as workout gear. Both managers helped pull together the outfits for the girls that included shirts, pants, donated bags and shoes in all sizes - nearly $2000 worth of merchandise.

"Wal-Mart and EA Sports proved to be fantastic partners" said Faye Washington, CEO of the YWCA GLA, Thanks to Wal-Mart's and EA Sports generosity we were able to fulfill our mission and pass on inspiration and hope to the participating students."

Wal-Mart outfitted all of the Job Corps students with the workout gear they needed, they even had in stock a hard-to-find size 13W athletic shoes for one on the student; they really made that student's day since her only other pair of shoes had holes in them.

As a thank you to the Wal-Mart stores, Job Corps students volunteered during the holidays and created thank you posters to display in the stores.

Recently, EA SPORTS signed on to become a President's Challenge Advocate and promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA). PALA is for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities and is a great way to engage in, and maintain a healthy lifestyle through physical activity. EA SPORTS made a $50,000 donation in EA SPORTS Active 2, an innovative digital fitness program that offers personalized, customizable workouts on gaming consoles, to YWCA Greater Los Angeles Job Corps to help promote participation in the PALA challenge.

 

« Back To News

Photos