Local Youth Sports Organizations Continue to Benefit from the
1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games Surplus

$671,819 Awarded in Grants to 18 Organizations

LOS ANGELES – October 21, 2009 – The LA84 Foundation announced today $671,819 in grants to support sports programs serving 19,295 youth in Southern California.  “It is important that every youngster who wishes to participate in sport has the opportunity to do so,” said Anita L. DeFrantz, president of the LA84 Foundation.  “Our funding assists organizations in their efforts to deliver good sports programming to as many youngsters as they can serve in this difficult economic environment.”

The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California’s share of the surplus from the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.  Since inception, the Foundation has invested $186 million, twice the $93 million of its original endowment.  More than 2,500,000 boys and girls in Southern California have been served to date.

Mount SAC Auxiliary Services Relays Youth Days will receive $126,000 to introduce more than 8,000 youngsters to track and field.  This will be the 25th year for this highly popular program that offers instructional clinics and competition days for elementary and middle-school-age youngsters.  YMCA – Orange County (Santa Ana) was awarded $120,000 for aquatics equipment for its new center and to offer learn-to-swim lessons.  THINK Together will use its $75,000 grant to offer an organized after-school sports program at nine middle schools in Santa Anta.  Inter Tribal Sports Inc. received $60,000 for sports programming serving primarily Native American youth on or near Indian reservations in Southern California.  Southern California Speed Skating Association will use its $60,000 grant to pay for ice time and equipment for its nationally recognized short track speed skating program.  A $49,559 grant to Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles will assist them in their efforts to restore the gym floor, backboards and safety wall carpeting at the City Terrace club site.


 Additional grants:

The other 12 organizations receiving  LA84 Foundation grants include:  YMCA – Montebello/Commerce--$36,000; Golden States Gymnastics (Burbank)--$26,012; Greater San Diego After-School All-Stars--$21,672; Ginga Arts (South Los Angeles)--$20,000; Boys & Girls Clubs of Burbank--$16,576; Boys & Girls Clubs of Pasadena--$10,000; J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. (Orange County)-- $10,000; Orange County Makapo Aquatics Project--$10,000; Phantoms Youth Rugby Football Club (East LA)--$10,000; Santa Clarita Track Club--$10,000; Culver City Babe Ruth Baseball League Incorporated--$6,000; SSS Good Samaritan Association (City of Cerritos)--$5,000.

In addition to approving the latest Foundation grants, the Board of Directors announced the election of Charles D. Miller as Board Member Emeritus.   Mr. Miller served on the Foundation’s Board since 1994. He is a former member of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Board of Director and Director Emeritus, Avery Dennison Company.  “Over the years, Mr. Miller has worked tirelessly in support of the Foundation’s mission to bring sports opportunities to youngsters,” LA84 Foundation Chairman Thomas Larkin, Jr. said.  “His love for lacrosse has helped fuel its growth in Southern California.  He has also been a strong supporter of Kids In Sports in Los Angeles and the Southern California Speed Skating Association.

About LA84 Foundation: The LA84 Foundation was established to manage Southern California's share of the surplus from the highly successful 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The Foundation received $93 million at its inception and, since then, has invested $186 million in sports programs serving more than two million youth in the eight Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Its headquarters is located in the historic Britt House near downtown Los Angeles where it houses the world's premier sports library and meeting facilities. The Foundation convenes numerous forums for the exploration of the most pressing issues in sport. For additional information, please visit www.LA84Foundation.org.