Kobe takes his shot for giving kids a day
By Daily Press staff
SM PIER — It certainly was a day to remember for hundreds of children earlier this month when famed LA Lakers Kobe Bryant helped celebrate their own dedicated day.
On Aug. 7, at the Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park, the Boys & Girls Clubs from the Greater Los Angeles Area joined with Bryant, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Regional Vice President John Schroeder, to celebrate the fifth annual “National KidsDay.”
It was part of a national effort to establish National KidsDay as an “official day” on the nation’s calendar. The effort is backed by research showing that millions of Americans recognize the link between spending meaningful time with their kids and the tough issues facing youth, but say they don’t have the time, skills, or resources to do as much for their children as they feel they should.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and KidsPeace launched National KidsDay (NKD) nationally in 2001 to foster stronger relationships between adults and children by educating them on the importance and value of spending such meaningful time together.
All families experience the pressures of contemporary life, regardless of their economic status, ethnicity, cultural background or location. Those pressures directly affect the amount of positive, quality time they are able to devote to their children, officials say. National KidsDay provides the opportunity for every adult to take a break, celebrate and renew their commitment to the nation’s children.
Thousands of parents and kids from 17 Los Angeles area Boys & Girls Clubs gathered at the Santa Monica Pier for a full day of family activities and to share meaningful time together. The event was spearheaded by the Boys & Girls Club of Venice Schroeder and Bryant were inducted as National KidsDay ambassadors. As ambassadors, they have pledged to spread the message of National KidsDay. Nationwide, more than 500,000 kids and their families participated in more than 1,300 events.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 20, 2005. Read the original PDF.