Grow the Game®

Mat Levine CityLax
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CityLax To Host 6th Annual Fundraising Gala In NYC

I’ve got involved with CityLax very quickly when I moved to New York City.  I had worked with MetroLacrosse, in Boston, before and I loved the idea of Growing The Game in a new place.  I was immediately impressed by how much growth had already taken place, and over the last few years I’ve been blown away by the commitment and dedication to lacrosse that this group continues to show.  CityLax is led by Mat Levine, and if I have half the passion this guy does for the sport, I count myself lucky!

Mat Levine CityLax
Mat Levine, founder of CityLax and one of the best people on the planet.

CityLax impressed me so much that I began donating more and more of my time to the organization.  I did this because I truly believe in the benefits of the program, as well as the benefits of the sport of lacrosse for urban youth.  Not only does CityLax start new teams, and help others start new teams, in NYC high schools, but the group also runs free clinics for players and coaches, holds open pick up games over the summers, and encourages kids to succeed on and off the field in a multitude of ways.  If a kid needs a stick, or new gloves, or a summer team, CityLax is there.  The group is like a lacrosse guardian angel.

But even with all of this volunteer dedication, the group still relies on funding from generous donors to survive and continue on.  And on March 1st, one of the biggest events of the year is coming up; the annual CityLax Fundraising Gala.  This year Max Seibald and Billy Bitter will be in attendance, and Eamon McAnaney will host the event.  There will be a silent auction and a lot of great lacrosse people all in one place, coming together for a great cause.

In the interest of full disclosure, I will let you know that I volunteer with CityLax, and am a member of their Junior Advisory Board.  If you know me at all from my writing, you know I only do things I believe in, and I definitely believe in CityLax.  If you live in NYC, or will be in town for the weekend, please consider coming to the Gala.  It’s a great opportunity to have some fun with, and get involved in, a great organization that’s just #doingitforthekids!

For more information, please see the press release from CityLax, which has been reproduced below:

CityLax Invites Lacrosse Fans to 6th Annual New York City Fundraising Gala

Calling all LaxAllStars.com readers! On March 1, 2012 CityLax will hold its 6th annual benefit gala at The Yale Club of New York City from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets are on sale now at: https://citylaxgala2012.eventbrite.com/  There will be drinks, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, live appeal and a CityLax Hall of Fame Presentation. The event will be emceed by ESPN/SNY’s Eamon McAnaney and Major League Lacrosse star players Max Seibald and Billy Bitter will be in attendance.

CityLax’s initiative has helped to triple the number of public high school teams playing varsity lacrosse in New York City, with thirty teams in twenty-four schools. CityLax, Inc. is a non-profit organization that is passionate about, and dedicated to, growing the game of lacrosse in New York City. We accomplish this through a public-private partnership with the Public School (PSAL) system, and in partnerships with community-based organizations.

Our focus is on introducing and expanding lacrosse into New York City schools, and geographies that have had little or no access to the game, and that are predominantly comprised of populations from lower income families. Through a character-based mentoring/coaching curriculum, CityLax use the game of lacrosse as a motivational platform for helping middle and high school students take charge of their educations, graduate on time, and develop the skills for successful college and career advancement.

By breaking down walls and building one New York City lacrosse community, CityLax is committed to helping student-athletes see the value of taking charge of their education, live a healthier lifestyle and develop life skills for successful college and career advancement. We hope you will join us March 1st to ensure this program, created on behalf of New York City’s youth, can continue into the future!

For more information on CityLax, Inc., please visit www.citylax.org