The Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Jr. Sparks Host Galactic Sports All- Girls Basketball Clinic

The final session of Gasol Foundation USA’s Galactic Sports Girls Basketball Clinic at Salazar Park was one for the books! On Wednesday, August 2nd, our girls learned fundamentals, advanced drills, and honed their basketball skills through expert instruction provided by The Los Angeles Sparks and Jr. Sparks youth coaches! 

Through their youth clinics, The Los Angeles Sparks strive to have a positive impact on participants’ lives by exposing them to transferable life principles and values such as discipline and confidence. The clinic provided an opportunity for our girls to learn and gain insight from the Jr. Sparks team, all while making it healthy, making it fun. 

And of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without some Gasol and Sparks swag! All participants received a Gasol Foundation T-Shirt, a Gasol Foundation USA participation certificate, a Pau Gasol Lakers jersey, and a Sparks water bottle! 

Experience the thrill of a lifetime! Get ready to win big! Brace yourself for a chance to own an awe-inspiring piece of sports history!

Introducing the ultimate prize: a pair of legendary 2010 Nike Flywire Sneakers personally worn and autographed by none other than NBA Champion and future Hall of Famer (August 12th), Pau Gasol, during the exhilarating Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship!

These iconic sneakers hold the remarkable energy of that unforgettable championship season. Picture yourself owning the very shoes that Pau wore on the court, leaving a forever mark in NBA history. These size 17 sneakers were tailor-made for the towering 7’1″ power forward/ center – and can now be yours.

But wait, there’s more!

Not only are these sneakers a breathtaking fashion statement, they also double as an incredible collector’s item. Imagine proudly displaying this monumental artifact, adorning your home with a testament to greatness. These sneakers transcend their functional purpose, becoming an embodiment of triumph, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of victory.

You have the chance to win this one-of-a-kind treasure! There are not one, but 3 ways to enter: Enter for free by mailing in your form. Make a donation (as little as $1) supporting Gasol Foundation USA children’s wellness programs, while simultaneously increasing your chances of winning. Or, text PAU to 33100 to get your entries. Amplify your odds of taking home this autographed pair of sneakers – the more entries, the better your chances!

So, what are you waiting for? Seize this extraordinary opportunity to triumph in the pursuit of legendary footwear!

ENTER THE PAU GASOL AUTOGRAPHED SNEAKERS SWEEPSTAKES FOR FREE

Sweepstakes ends August 8th, 2023 at 12PM PST. Winner will be selected on August 11th, 2023 at 12PM PST.

NO PURCHASE, DONATION OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.Individual legal residents of, and physically located within, the United States, and who are 18 (except 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi) years of age as of the date of entry or of legal age of majority or older in their country of residence. Any participation by any ineligible person(s) will be void. Void where prohibited.

Gasol Foundation is a proud partner in Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Walk & Play LA held on Saturday May 20th. The 7th annual event is a family-friendly community event on the Santa Monica Pier that celebrates and supports the health of children. Walk & Play LA brings together the sports and wellness community for a 3K fun walk, family festival for all ages, and sports clinics hosted by professional athletes, including adaptive sports activities. Co-hosted by boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and host of the Ellen K Morning Show on KOST 103.5, Ellen K, Walk & Play LA was complete with live music, special guests, food, family fun under the sun and an exciting All-Star line-up in the Play Zone!

Children and parents who visited our Gasol Foundation booth enjoyed healthy games, prizes, and raffle collectibles. Thank you CHLA for the incredible opportunity to participate in such a fantastic event.

There’s still time to give to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles! Help raise critical funds in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and its mission to create hope and build healthier futures.

It was another great weekend at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books for Gasol Foundation USA! As expected, the nation’s largest literary event had a big turnout on both Saturday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 23rd. We were thrilled to participate at the Festival of Books for the second consecutive year and have the opportunity to engage with the community. It was a (healthy) party in booth #553 as both kids and many adults enjoyed doing exercises as we promoted healthy habits. We provided healthy games, prizes and raffle collectibles on the University of Southern California campus where the festival took place.

Thank you to AltaMed pediatrician and Gasol Foundation USA Advisory Board member, Dr. Iian Shapiro, for visiting our booth! And congratulations to our raffle winners, Aditya and Benjamin, who each won an autographed item from our President, Pau Gasol!

Overall, kids of ages and families enjoyed these free family-friendly days on the main USC campus. Thank you Los Angeles Times and USC for hosting such a fantastic event. We look forward to participating next year and impacting even more families through heathy habits! 

March 6th, 2023 is a day The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) school children will always remember! Gasol Foundation President and NBA legend Pau Gasol visited Lafayette Recreation Center in Los Angeles, CA to provide a Galactic Sports clinic with children and a Q&A session with the press. This special event was held the day before Pau’s historic Lakers jersey retirement ceremony at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. 

The impact of Pau’s visit was imminent as the 7’1’’ former power forward / center entered the gym. Many of the children in attendance grew up watching him play for the Lakers and were thrilled to meet him in person. As with all Gasol Foundation evidence-based programs, the Galactic Sports demo incorporated the key healthy habits of physical activity, diet, sleep, and emotional well-being.

LOS ANGELES, CA- MARCH 6: Gasol Foundation Galactic Sports Program at Lafayette Park Recreation Center in Los Anegeles NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

The demonstration also provided an opportunity for the children to ask Pau questions and engage with him. The children gained knowledge on healthy habits applicable to their daily lives, which made the experience even more valuable.

Additionally, Pau shared personal anecdotes regarding his personal journey, discussed adversity he’s faced to get where he is today, and the hard work he put in to achieve his goals- both on and off the court. He emphasized the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a positive attitude with the children – all crucial skills for success. 

We are honored to share this moment with The Heart of Los Angeles, Rise Kohyang Elementary School, and Bright Stars Schools as we celebrate our co-founder, Pau Gasol. Thank you to all who made this event possible! 

Gasol Foundation USA is celebrating the Los Angeles Lakers’ retirement of number 16 to honor Lakers legend and Gasol Foundation USA Co-Founder, Pau Gasol, on March 7, 2023. As part of the celebration, Gasol Foundation USA is hosting a drawing for two game tickets and a meet-and-greet with Pau Gasol. One lucky winner will receive two tickets to Laker game/ceremony

and a meet-and-greet with Laker great Pau Gasol.

The retirement of Pau Gasol’s jersey by the Los Angeles Lakers will take place as the Lakers face the Memphis Grizzlies (Gasol’s first NBA team) at Crypto.com Arena.

The prize drawing for the two game tickets and meet-and-greet with Pau has begun, with entries at $25 each (multiple entries are allowed). The deadline to enter is noon PST on March 1, 2023, and the winner will be drawn at 4pm PST on March 1st. 

Pau played for the Lakers during seven seasons with three All Star selections–and helped lead Los Angeles to back-to-back championships. He is “humbled and excited” about this great recognition by such a great franchise. He is delighted to share this moment with his family and friends, and supporters of the Gasol Foundation. 

On Thursday, October 27th, Gasol Foundation USA hosted our first in-person event since 2016! ‘A Night with the Gasol Foundation’ took place at Tatel Restaurant in Beverly Hills. The patio at Tatel provided a collegial setting to showcase our work and mingle with current and new collaborators. We were excited to see friends, partners, and donors who showed their support for our #ZeroChildhoodObesity mission. This friend and fundraiser built momentum for us to continue empowering children to develop healthy habits. We are thrilled to report a generous $50,000 contribution from the Los Angeles Lakers was made at the event. As always, all funds go directly toward our free children’s wellness programs.

 

On Tuesday, July 26th, Gasol Foundation was honored at the Nike Community Impact Fund Celebration Ceremony held at the Nike East LA Community Store. We were one of many 20022 LA – based grant recipients recognized for creating inclusive, active communities and giving kids an opportunity to reach their potential through play and sport.

The Nike Community Impact Fund is a global grant making program that is unique, as it engages Nike employees in the grant making decision-making process. NCIF engages Nike teammates (across retail and corporate) to share their local insights and play a leading role in the decision-making process for selecting recipients each year. Since the program began in 2009, NCIF has awarded more than 1,200 grants, totaling more than $11 million to organizations around the world. We were thrilled to receive a $5,ooo grant from the Nike Community Impact Fund for our Galactic Sports program in June 2022.

Because Nike believes in the in the power of sport to change lives, most of these funds are strategically aligned to have impact with organizations who are getting people active. Gasol Foundation is extremely grateful to Nike and the NCIF for their generosity and support as we continue to make an impact on children through our wellness programs and advocacy.

Gasol Foundation USA is growing and we are currently looking to hire health educators to join our team. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to info@gasolfoundation.org.

Title: Health Educator
Employment Level: Part-time, hourly
Location: Los Angeles, CA, Long Beach, CA, Orange County, CA
Compensation: $26.00/hour

Under the supervision of the US Program Director, the US Health Educator is responsible for implementing Gasol Foundation US’ children’s and family programs. The ideal candidate will share Gasol Foundation US’ vision and commitment to service. They will have a demonstrated focus on reducing childhood obesity, promoting healthy lifestyles, and improving the quality of life for children and their families.

General Responsibilities:
● Responsible for delivering multiple health and wellness programs that teach sports and
physical activity, healthy eating, proper sleep, and emotional well-being.
● Facilitate promotion of healthy habits to children and adults.
● Assist in collecting pre- and post-session data, including surveys, participants’ height,
weight, and waist circumference.
● Participate in Gasol Foundation US team meetings.
● Assist in presentations and demonstrations at special public events.
● Assist with other related duties as assigned.


Skills and Desired Experience
● College Diploma required
● Demonstrated education and/or experience in health, public health, sports science,
kinesiology, physical education, nutrition, and/or child development preferred
● Experience working with school-age children in classroom and outdoor settings
preferred
● Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED certification required
● Must complete Live Scan fingerprint background check
● Ability to speak, understand and write in Spanish is a plus
● Must be energetic, self-motivated, creative, and detail-oriented
● Must be able to exhibit effective oral and written communication skills including reflective
listening and interpersonal skills

Gasol Foundation US has convened a new Advisory Board of health and education experts to better empower children (and their parents) in their health and wellness—especially in preventing and overcoming childhood obesity. 

The six-member board is composed of recognized leaders in their fields (three M.D.’s and three Ed.D.’s) who bring a depth of experience and insights about child wellness and development to the national nonprofit organization:

Dr Ilan Shapiro is a pediatrician and is Chief Health Correspondent and Medical Affairs Officer at AltaMed Health Services; Dr Elisa Nicholas is a pediatrician and CEO at TCC Family Health; Dr David Skaggs is an orthopedic surgeon and Director of Pediatric Orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Roger Brossmer, Ed.D., is Assistant Superintendent at Downey, CA Unified School District; Georgia Lazo, Ed.D., is Principal at UCLA Lab School; and Tonikiaa Orange, Ed.D., is Director of Culture and Equity Project at UCLA Center X.

As Gasol Foundation US continues to expand its impact on children’s wellness by teaching proven healthy habits, This Advisory Board will be instrumental to the quality and effectiveness of our evidence-based children’s programming. 

In November 2021, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors adopted a motion to proclaim November Los Angeles County Diabetes Awareness Month. The main objective was to create a means of educating youth and their families about ways to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes, which currently effects 90-95% of all people with diabetes. As a result of this motion, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was asked to partner with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, K-12 school districts, and community-based organizations to improve access to healthy meals at schools. This included efforts to reduce food waste and provide culturally relevant resources about diabetes awareness and prevention.

 

With input from the Los Angeles County Office of Education and other stakeholders, Public Health developed a Diabetes and Prediabetes Awareness Toolkit, which will support existing education codes that require schools to provide type 2 diabetes information to students. Gasol Foundation is proud to be included in this initiative- our feature can be found on page 8 of this toolkit. This Diabetes and Prediabetes Awareness Toolkit will be shared with various schools across the county, thus allowing us to empower even more children through healthy habit promotion.

Components of the toolkit include a description of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, low and no-cost resources for schools, including nutrition education and physical activity curricula, resources to create a healthy school environment, implementation guides on reducing food waste by establishing share tables, and resources for schools to improve worksite wellness among teachers and staff. The toolkit also includes sample announcements for parents and students.

To view the the Diabetes and Prediabetes Awareness Toolkit click here

On Saturday, April 30th, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was transformed into a buzzing center of fun where kids and teens enjoyed a variety of activities including rock climbing, wall painting, gardening stations, dance, and interactive sporting activities!

A Day Of Play For LA was a free event that connected families with activities and resources to help their children stay healthy and resilient during what has been an extremely difficult time the last two years. This event celebrated making fitness fun and introduced kids and families to an array of YMCA programs and community resources that encouraged them to stay active and healthy.

Gasol Foundation provided an interactive play area equipped with an activity spinning wheel and an obstacle course. Kids worked up a sweat and had so much fun participating in the course- jumping over the mini hurdles, skipping through the ladder drills, and sprinting through the cones! They were awarded their choice choice of healthy prizes such as jump ropes, stress balls, and sleep masks!

We cannot thank the YMCA Los Angeles enough for hosting such a fun, filled day and bringing families and communities together to celebrate healthy living. We are extremely honored that we could provide healthy resources and activities to hundreds of families at a time when they need it most.

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