Crypto.com has made a significant investment in youth development by announcing a $1 million donation to After-School All-Stars, in partnership with the Los Angeles Kings and the Kings Care Foundation. The donation aims to support various youth programs across the United States and was celebrated during an on-ice ceremony at the Kings’ March 2 matchup against the Colorado Avalanche at Crypto.com Arena.
The ceremony featured notable figures including Luc Robitaille, the President of the Los Angeles Kings, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the founder of After-School All-Stars and former Governor of California. Their presence highlighted the collaboration’s importance and its focus on empowering young individuals through education and mentorship, utilizing the visibility offered by professional sports.
Founded in 1992, After-School All-Stars (ASAS) offers free after-school and summer programming designed to assist students and their families. Their services include academic support, enrichment activities, and mentorship opportunities. The nonprofit organization currently operates over 740 school-year sites and summer camps across 80 cities in the United States, serving nearly 150,000 students each year. The recent donation from Crypto.com is poised to enhance programming within ASAS’s national framework.
Matt David, President of North America and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Crypto.com, spoke about the initiative’s importance, emphasizing the company’s dedication to community investment. “After-School All-Stars is doing vital work to expand opportunity for young people during the hours when support matters most,” he stated. “This donation reflects our commitment to helping empower students to learn, grow, and thrive.”
In alignment with this message, Schwarzenegger emphasized the impact of corporate engagement on expanding opportunities for youth. “I founded After-School All-Stars because every kid deserves a real chance to succeed, no excuses,” he commented. “When you give students mentorship and opportunity, they rise to the challenge. With partners like Crypto.com stepping up, we can reach more students, open more doors, and build stronger communities across America.”
Andrea Bazán, President of After-School All-Stars, expressed gratitude for the financial support, highlighting its potential impact on programs nationwide. “We are thrilled and grateful for this outstanding support from Crypto.com, the LA Kings and the Kings Care Foundation, which will go a long way to enrich our programs across Los Angeles and our national network,” Bazán noted.
Robitaille reinforced the Kings organization’s commitment to youth development. “The LA Kings are proud to partner with After-School All-Stars to reinforce a shared commitment to empowering young people and creating meaningful opportunities for them to learn, grow, and succeed,” he said.
To celebrate the partnership, students from ASAS Los Angeles were invited to the March 2 game at Crypto.com Arena, enhancing community engagement through fan activities. These included a drumline performance outside the arena and Zamboni rides during the event. Additionally, Crypto.com launched promotional initiatives like a Road Trip Sweepstakes and Lucky Row giveaways for fans attending the game.
This collaboration not only exemplifies corporate philanthropy’s role in community development but also reinforces a united effort to uplift the next generation through education and support.
