May 1, 2014, Los Angeles – The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF) donated $20,000 to Kids In Sports Los Angeles to provide sports opportunities to vulnerable youth. The donation will help support Kids in Sports’ Girls in Recreation, Leadership & Sports (G.I.R.L.S.) Program.

KVBFF raised the $20,000 earlier this year by selling nine sets of the Nike Kobe Prelude Pack through a silent auction at The Nike Vault at STAPLES Center. Nike donated the shoes to KVBFF to support Bryant and his work to provide opportunities for young people in Los Angeles.

“Sports provide endless possibilities for kids by not only helping them develop their work ethic and competitive drive, but also keeping them physically and mentally healthy,” said KVBFF founder Kobe Bryant. “KVBFF is proud to support Kids In Sports in removing obstacles that will allow more children to get involved in sports activities.”

Kids In Sports is a non-profit organization that provides high quality, affordable sports opportunities for underserved youth while encouraging community and family involvement through the formation and management of neighborhood sports clubs in Los Angeles County.

“Funding from KVBFF will be utilized to increase soccer opportunities for girls, ages 5-17, across Los Angeles County. In 2013 Kids In Sports engaged 8,403 deserving youth, including over 3,100 young girls, in community supported sports programs, but we could not do it without the financial backing of caring individuals like Kobe and Vanessa Bryant,” said Kids In Sports Associate Director Tony Giarla. “In 2014, our plan is to grow the G.I.R.L.S. Program to 4,000 total participants, and support from the foundation is vital to successfully attaining this goal. The new relationship with KVBFF has brought excitement to our participants and our communities as well as added exposure to the organization. It is greatly appreciated.”

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About The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation

The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation (KVBFF) is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need, and encouraging young people to stay active through sports. By providing financial resources for organizations with aligned missions and funding unique programs, the Foundation strives to strengthen communities through educational and cultural enrichment opportunities.

In order to make a measurable impact on the critical issue of youth homelessness, KVBFF partnered with a number of Los Angeles-based organizations including Step Up on Second, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and homeless youth drop-in center My Friend’s Place. KVBFF recently accepted an award from My Friend’s Place for its ongoing support and partnership. In November 2014, Kobe Bryant will serve as the honorary co-chair of United Way’s annual HomeWalk for the fourth consecutive year, raising funds and awareness to provide permanent supportive housing for the homeless.

Outside of the U.S., KVBFF supports education and athletics programs for vulnerable youth in China, and Kobe uses his platform to raise awareness for various health-related causes across the globe.

For more information please visit the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation online at kvbff.org, www.facebook.com/kvbff and @KVBFF.