LOS ANGELES, California – Westlake Financial Services and its volunteering division, P.A.L.S. (People Affecting Lives through Service), hosted children from the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles this past Friday during Westlake’s annual Sales Conference Teambuilding Event.

Over 300 Westlake dealer account managers from across the country convened at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Friday, December 9th, for a teambuilding event that consisted of building 20 children’s bicycles for charity.  At the end of the event, the entire room was surprised by seven children representing the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles arriving to accept the bicycle gifts, which included helmets.

In addition to the 20 bicycles and helmets, Westlake’s P.A.L.S. division also handed the Boys & Girls Club a check for $1,000.00.

Mark Vazquez, Westlake VP of Sales, said he wanted to do something different this year.  “Every year we fly in all of our sales reps and have this great teambuilding and bonding event.  But this year, I wanted us to give back to the community.  Westlake has been a part of the Southern California landscape for over twenty years.  Our P.A.L.S. program has done a great job in volunteering efforts, but I wanted the Sales & Marketing Department to be a part of it too, and the Boys & Girls Club provided that perfect opportunity.”

Sonia Thong, a spokesperson for the Boys & Club of East Los Angeles expressed the club’s appreciation.  “On behalf of the Boys & Girls Club, we’d like to thank Westlake Financial for the generous donation of bikes, helmets, and cash.  Many of our kids have asked for a bike on their Christmas wish list but times are tough for many parents.  Many of them have never had a bike.  This will help immensely.”

Ms. Thong goes on to explain that the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles serves between 160 – 180 youths every day.  The club provides several after school enrichment programs tailored to different age groups.  They provide a safe location for children and young adults to study and play after school while their parents are still at work.

Westlake President Ian Anderson adds, “The need for charitable giving is year-round, but it is during the holiday season that the need is brought into sharp focus.  Westlake’s corporate culture emphasizes a family environment, and families help each other out during times of need.  Westlake is proud to be associated with the Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles, and look forward to partnering again in the new year!”   

About Westlake Financial Services
Westlake Financial Services is an internet based, privately held finance company that specializes in the acquisition and servicing of sub-prime to prime automotive retail installment contracts. Headquartered in Southern California, Westlake originates indirect retail installment contracts through a network of over 10,000 new and used car dealers throughout the United States. All collections and servicing are performed in-house from its central facility located in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. www.westlakefinancial.com

About The Boys & Girls Club of East Los Angeles
The Boys & Girls Clubs of East Los Angeles has served over 50,000 youth since it was founded in 1950.  The club provides character development programs on a daily basis conducted by professional staff for children 5-18 years old. Their “Smart Ride” program picks up over 200 students from 42 local schools daily.  Additionally, the club provides scholarships annually for over 70 teens, alumni and staff going on to higher education.  Our mission: to prepare our community’s youth to be self-sufficient to handle life’s obstacles while well prepared to maximize life’s opportunities.

For more information, visit http://www.bgcela.bbnow.org or email [email protected]

12/14/11