Gasol Foundation USA Teams Up with Angel City Sports

Gasol Foundation USA has reached a partnership with Angel City Sports and their Adaptive Sports Equipment Loan Program. Angel City Sports is a Los Angeles-based non-profit that provides year-round adaptive sports opportunities for kids, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities and visual impairments. 

We are extremely grateful to ACS for allowing us to borrow a sports wheelchair for a 4th grader at John Muir K-8th Academy named Jersson. He participated in our first Galactic Sports session for the very first time on February 15th, and had an absolute blast playing basketball with the other children. We are thrilled we could provide this opportunity for him. 

This is significant as kids with disabilities are sometimes not included or encouraged to participate in sports or physical activity, despite sports and physical activity being just as important for children with special needs as it is for any child. As we all know, it can help boost self- confidence, independence, and an overall

better quality of life. Including children with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to their peers is crucial for building the capacity of youth, especially youth with disabilities, and making society more inclusive for all individuals. We look forward to witnessing more about Jersson’s program experience and hearing more positive stories over the next few months. 

Our very own Pau Gasol will be honored by Angel City Sports at the Angel City Sports Annual Awards Gala in April. As the Community Impact Honoree, Pau will be recognized that evening for his work off the court in the community. Congratulations, Pau! 

Gasol Foundation is ready to make this holiday season legendary. That is the objective of their recently launched Pau Gasol Legendary Christmas Sweepstakes digital campaign in which one lucky winner will receive a commemorative Hall of Fame package of exclusive sports items from its President, Pau Gasol. 

“I am very excited that these three objects, so symbolic and with so much sentimental value, can contribute to raising funds for the mission of the Gasol Foundation,” Pau Gasol commented. “I’m sure that the winning person will enjoy them even more knowing the support we can give to families in a vulnerable situation that participate in our programs promoting healthy habits thanks to this action.”

For the winner, the prize will be threefold: they will receive one replica ring of the one Pau Gasol received as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame last August; a commemorative number 16 Los Angeles

Lakers hat -the most successful franchise in the NBA; and a Spanish team basketball postcard autographed by Pau Gasol.

Launched from the foundation in the United States, this global sweepstakes will run until Saturday, January 6th, 2024, 11:00 pm PST. The winner will be announced on Thursday, January 11th, 2024, 12:00 pm PST.

For just a $20 donation, anyone can enter to win. This sweepstakes will help the Gasol Foundation continue to provide life-changing healthy habits for children and their families in the United States and Europe. All funds raised will go directly towards Gasol Foundation programs, making an impact on more children around the world. This fundraising initiative is one of the many actions the Gasol Foundation promotes to raise funds for its mission of childhood obesity prevention. 

Pau Gasol and Gasol Foundation USA hosted an interactive demonstration of their Galactic Sports program with children at Hoover Elementary School in Los Angeles, California on Monday, December 11th, 2023.

Galactic Sports consists of basic sports skills and wellness lessons. The program takes children through 10 weekly one-hour trainings/lessons in a sport, while also teaching them the importance of healthy habits (physical activity, healthy eating, sleep, and emotional well-being). All of these sessions are free to participants and taught by trained health educators. 

Gasol Foundation also provides materials to the participants, including t-shirts, sports merchandise, and supporting content. 

The event began with brief one-on-one conference sessions with Pau and the media discussing his philanthropic initiatives with Gasol Foundation USA and efforts promoting children’s wellness in Southern California. The overall purpose of this event is to raise awareness about Gasol Foundation and the childhood obesity pandemic, increase visibility to Galactic Foundation USA programs and initiatives, and strengthen commitment with children and families. The event concluded with Pau and the children discussing the importance of healthy habits and participating in a Galactic Sports basketball demonstration consisting of fun basketball games and drills. 

We are thankful to our partners, YMCA Los Angeles, for collaborating with us for this event. It was a complete success, and the children had a blast. We look forward to our continued partnership as we work towards the health and well-being for all youth in Los Angeles. 

Gasol Foundation USA is excited to welcome Nehal Raj to our Board of Directors. The mission of Gasol Foundation is to promote children’s wellness through programming, research, awareness, and advocacy, with a focus on eliminating childhood obesity. Every effort by the Gasol Foundation incorporates physical activity, healthy, sleep, and emotional well-being to improve the health of our children and their overall development. As we continue to expand our impact on children’s wellness, we are very much looking forward to the knowledge, insights and new ideas Nehal will provide in his new role with Gasol Foundation USA. 

Nehal Raj is Co-Managing Partner of TPG Capital, TPG’s flagship private equity business, and Co-Managing Partner of TPG Tech Adjacencies (TTAD),

TPG’s fund focused on flexible capital solutions for the technology industry. He also co-leads the firm’s investment activities in software and enterprise technology across its private equity platforms.

Nehal serves on the board of the following TPG investments: Boomi, Digital.ai, Kaseya, Lyric, New Relic, Nintex, Planview, and WellSky. Nehal was previously a director of a number of TPG investments prior to their successful exits, including: C3 AI, CCC Information Services, IQVIA, Intergraph, Wind River, and Zscaler.

Prior to joining TPG in 2006, Nehal was an investor at Francisco Partners and worked in the Tech M&A group at Morgan Stanley. He received an AB with Distinction in Economics and MS in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University (Phi Beta Kappa) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (Baker Scholar).

Nehal is also active with several non-profits. He serves on Stanford University’s H&S Council and Undergraduate Cabinet, the HBS Fund Council, and the Board of Trustees of San Francisco University High School. He previously served on the Board of Trustees of San Francisco Day School and the Advisory Board of Breakthrough San Francisco.

Outside of work, Nehal is an avid sports fan and sports investor. He is an investor / co-owner of Leeds United Football Club and Alpine F1 Team. Nehal splits his time between San Francisco and Los Angeles with his wife and two high school aged kids.

Nehal joins Board President, Pau Gasol; Board Vice President, Marc Gasol; President of The Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, Michele Chan Soon-Shiong; and President and CEO of The Molina Foundation, Dr. Martha Molina Bernadett.

Welcome on board, Nehal!

Gasol Foundation USA is currently featured in All Things Orange County Holiday Magazine Issue. The article highlights the ways in which we are serving Southern California children as we continue to expand our free health and wellness programming throughout Orange County.

To read the full article, click here:

Gasol Foundation USA is excited to share that we have been awarded a grant from the LA84 Foundation! 

The LA84 Foundation is a nationally recognized leader in support of youth sport programs and public education and advocates for the important role sports participation plays in positive youth development. Created with a share of the 1984 Olympic Games surplus, LA84 began operations in 1985 as a grant making and educational foundation. The foundation supports hundreds of non-profit youth sports organizations throughout Southern California annually, trains coaches, commissions research, convenes conferences and maintains the world’s premier Olympic and sports library collection. 

LA84 gives special consideration to organizations and efforts that can impact at scale children and youth. They focus their support on organizations that view sports as an integral way to develop children and youth to be healthy, happy, and engaged individuals. 

As part of the LA84 protocol, a site visit of our Galactic Sports program was conducted at Hoover Elementary School the following month after applying for the grant. One week after the visit, we learned that Gasol Foundation USA had been awarded the grant. 

Funds from this grant will help with Galactic Sports program costs, including staffing, and purchasing of sports equipment. 

We look forward to sharing with you all about the accomplishments that result from this LA84 grant! 

We are excited to share that the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) has named Gasol Foundation USA a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion! 

The National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) is an essential resource for policymakers and key decision-makers in youth sports. It aims to unite U.S. youth sports culture around a shared vision: that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports. NYSS Champions represent organizations that are working towards achieving this vision. Gasol Foundation USA is thrilled to further the mission of the NYSS and help foster a lifelong love of sports and physical activity for our youth. 

 

 

Research indicates children who obtain regular physical activity gain important physical and mental health benefits. It is crucial, now more than ever, to promote the benefits of and access to physical activity and sports opportunities to youth and their families- regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, ability, or zip code. 

Gasol Foundation, along with other NYSS Champions, are currently featured on the health.gov/ NYSS website as part of a growing network of organizations working to improve the youth sports landscape in the US.

We would like to thank the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition for recognizing our work in promoting physical activity and youth sports. 

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. 

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