LANO, Texas, Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Life is Good is more than a brand, it's a movement fueled by optimism. Today, the California children served by the Boys & Girls Club of Long Beach celebrated optimism with the grand opening of a new DreamCourt™ at the Freeman E. Fairfield/Westside Center. DreamCourts are state-of-the-art basketball facilities built in lower-income communities through a collaboration among WorldVentures Foundation™, Nancy Lieberman Charities and Sport Court®. Optimistic lifestyle brand Life is Good, who donated over $50,000 to build the court, along with actress Leah Remini headlined the grand opening event.
"I'm honored and humbled that Leah Remini and Life is Good are rallying behind this effort," said Nancy Lieberman, Basketball Hall-of-Famer, NBA coach and founder of the Nancy Lieberman Charities. "Together we can bring a renewed sense of vitality and community to children and families in the area."
The building of this court was motivated by the story of a 15-year-old boy who was slain in the area last March. Leah Remini's sister, Nicole Remini, who initiated the project said: "After such a tragedy, we hope this DreamCourt will unite the community and provide a safe place for children to play, away from gangs and violence."
When Life is Good heard about the need for a safe place to play in Long Beach, they stepped up to support the building of the DreamCourt. The $100 millionlifestyle brand is currently on a nationwide tour to spread optimism and help #GROWtheGood by connecting with communities and raising over $1 million to help kids in need. The DreamCourt opening is one of the main events during the tour.
"Optimism doesn't ignore what's wrong – it helps you focus on what's right," said John Jacobs, Co-Founder, Life is Good. "We've learned through the years that life isn't easy and life isn't perfect, but life is good. We are committed to giving back and helping to make life good for all kids."
Dan Stammen, the board chair of WorldVentures Foundation, shared his perspectives: "When you consider that 83% of children who come to this facility live below the poverty line and 60% come from single-parent households, a message of optimism is like oxygen. I'm a Boys & Girls Club alumni, and I know together, we can breathe new life into communities like these all over North America."
"Sport Court is extremely pleased to support the WorldVentures Foundation and Nancy Lieberman Charities on this important DreamCourt project that will provide a high-quality Power Game™ surface for safe play at the Boys & Girls Club in Long Beach," said Joe Ure, Sport Court Director of Residential Sales.
WorldVentures Foundation is a dedicated, national affiliate of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and leads service excursions to clubs nationwide. Of 19 DreamCourts built to date, 11 are located at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide. Earlier this year, the Remini sisters and Viva Glam magazine hosted a celebrity silent auction at the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills to help raise money for construction of the Freeman E. Fairfield/Westside DreamCourt, which features two full-sized, multi-sport courts constructed with Sport Court's Power Game high-performance safety surface, bright blue and orange accents, a wall mural and bleachers.
About WorldVentures Foundation
Launched in 2010, WorldVentures Foundation is the philanthropic arm of WorldVentures and focuses on positive change in the lives of children. WorldVentures' Independent Representatives and DreamTrips™ Members—the volunteers and driving force behind the Foundation's Service Excursions, VolunTours, DreamCourts and global initiatives—provide inspiration when they serve and implement sustainable economic and environmental solutions within communities around the world. www.wvfoundation.org
About Nancy Lieberman Charities
Founded in 2009, The Nancy Lieberman Charities provides a healthy, physical, emotional and mental environment for young girls and boys to build confidence and self-esteem so they make positive choices for their future. Nancy Liebermanis dedicated to expanding and ensuring that educational and sports opportunities exist for youth through her basketball camps and clinics, DreamCourts, college scholarships, as well as backpack and laptop programs. www.nancyliebermancharities.org
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach (BGCLB), comprising 13 distinct facilities across the city, has been helping underprivileged youth reach their personal and academic potential since 1939. Community activists Maurice Bugbee and Carlton Wallace originally founded the organization as the Boys Club of Long Beach. In 1991, the Club expanded its reach to include underserved girls. One of the oldest, most successful youth organizations in the area, the BGCLB has served more than 220,000 youth ages 6-18 in its 76-year history. www.bgclublb.org
About the Life is Good Company
The Life is Good Company is a $100 M lifestyle brand that spreads the power of optimism and donates 10 percent of its net profits to help kids in need. The company has raised more than $11 million for kids in need to date, principally through Life is Good products, events and community fundraising efforts. Life is Good® is a registered trademark of The Life is Good Company. Please visit LifeisGood.com for more details.