Ballona Nonprofit A Finalist in Grant Competition

A program that exposes kindergarten through 3rd grade students to the great outdoors through organized trips in the Ballona Wetlands is one of five finalists for a $5,000 grant from the L.A. Lakers.

The Friends of Ballona Wetlands Wonders of Wetlands brings kids from underserved communities throughout Los Angeles and offers them the opportunity to learn about wildlife and plants species while walking on trails in the wetlands equipped with binoculars, magnifying glasses and spotting scopes.

The funds would be used to support this educational program and provide bus scholarships for schools.

The other organizations competing for the L.A. Lakers grant include Enhancing Forward Action, a youth obesity prevention program; Playworks of Southern California, a program that teachers kids leadership, respect and conflict resolution skills; LUCHA Foudnation, that provides college scholarships to needy families; and The Children’s Skin Disease Foundation, which hosts a camp for children who suffer from rare and fatal skin diseases.

To vote for the recipient of the L.A. Lakers $5,000 grant, visit www.nba.com/lakers/community/1213_yougrant_january