LA Kings Team Up with Make-A-Wish Foundation to Make Birthday Wish Come True for 11-Year-Old LA Kings Fan
AEG’s LA Kings recently teamed up with Make-A-Wish Foundation to host a one-of-a-kind birthday party for 11-year-old LA Kings fan Christiann Villa on Sept. 9 at Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, Calif.
Christiann and her family traveled from Las Vegas to attend a private team practice prior to receiving her own set of LA Kings gear, which she suited up in to join Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty and LA Kings mascot Bailey on the ice. Christiann interacted with a few other players such as Alec Martinez, Trevor Lewis and Jonathan Quick following. Following their time on the ice, the LA Kings players joined the family and Kings staff for a birthday party in the team’s business office.
“When opportunities to grant wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation arise, everyone in the organization gets excited - especially the players,” said Jennifer Pope, vice president of community relations and team services, LA Kings. “We recognize that these children have been through so much in their young lives, and we’re always eager do anything we can to make them feel better.”
The LA Kings have had a longstanding relationship with Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes for young hockey fans. Earlier this year, the Kings teamed with Make-A-Wish Foundation to “sign” one such hockey fan to a Kings contract for the day in addition to leading the team out on the ice prior to a game at STAPLES Center.
“Over the years, we’ve found that each wish involves wanting to meet the team, however they all have their own unique twist. Making these “wishes” come to true is not only a blast for our staff, but a highlight of the season for all involved,” said Pope.