LA Lakers & Fox Sports en Espanol sponsor Bowling Fundraiser for Inner City Basketball League.

Fox Sports en Espanol and the Lakers Youth Foundation partnered with Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) for the 5th Annual HOLA BOWLA Charity Bowling fundraiser this past Saturday. Over 150 people attended to partake in the bowling bonanza, with special celebrity appearances by Los Angeles Lakers players Trevor Ariza, Didier Ilunga-Mbenga and Shannon Brown. The talented players joined the Los Angeles Lakers Girls and Chivas USA soccer players Gerson Mayen and Lance Parker to support fundraising efforts benefiting the inner city youth league of the Central City Athletic Association (CCAA), co-founded by HOLA.

“Fox Sports en Espanol is proud to unite with HOLA and the Lakers Foundation to further support the initiatives of the CCAA, and provide our youth with the opportunity to engage in sports as a vehicle to empower their lives,” stated Raul de Quesada, Assistant General Manager and Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Creative Services for Fox Sports en Espanol and Fox Soccer Channel.

The event raised over $42,000, which will benefit the league to continue serving 2,300 young athletes by investing in team uniforms, equipment, facility fees and operating expenses. The evening of sports stardom was most enjoyed by the lucky grand prize winners, who took with them a myriad of celebrity memorabilia and gifts including; LA Lakers autographed hats, basketballs and t-shirts and Chivas USA package including 4 club seats to opening day and an exclusive behind-the-scenes pass to watch the team warm up. Thanks to the support of other organizations, additional prizes included a Fred Segal shopping spree, a VIP Dr. Phil memorabilia package plus show tickets and Chaya Brasserie and Chaya Venice dining certificates.

HOLA co-founded the Central City Athletic Association (CCAA) in 1991 with a mission of providing high quality athletic leagues to inner-city youth who were unable to play for their high school teams. The CCAA teaches the values of discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship.

HOLA’s Executive Director, Tony Brown stated, “We celebrated the coaches and sponsors who give these young men and women athletes a much needed mentor and a transformative opportunity to get back on track. Of course none of this would be possible without our co-presenting sponsors, the Lakers Youth Foundation and Fox Sports en Espanol. Together, they are lending major support towards giving every child a real chance for success!”