WATTS : Bank Gives $1,925 to Service Groups

The Watts branch of California Federal Bank has donated $1,925 to four organizations that provide sports, recreation and other services for youths and senior citizens.

The Watts Friendship Sports League, the Families for Families organization and the Explorer Program at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southeast station--all in Watts--each received $500. The Estelle Van Meter Multi-Purpose Center in South-Central received $425.

“We just wanted to put some money back into the neighborhood,” said Charlotte Burnett, Cal Fed branch manager and vice president. “We wanted to show our commitment to programs that are doing good with children and adults.”

Watts Friendship Sports League Commissioner George Wolfberg said he was thrilled with the news: “It’s recognition that you’re out there serving the community. Whenever anybody gives you support it validates you. It’s just a pat on the back. You’re pumped up.”

The league, which provides organized sports and recreation for about 5,000 youths annually, will probably use the money to buy soccer equipment, revive a dance program or buy new equipment for its drum corps, Wolfberg said.

Families for Families, a nonprofit organization in Watts that teaches poor families to become economically self-sufficient, will use the funds to help pay for its Stay in School and Teen Museum-Family Dollars Program, which will offer a 12-week seminar to teach youths to manage their finances.

About 60 students are expected to attend the series next month at Markham Middle School. The organization is relying on private contributions to pay for the rest of the $3,500-sessions, said organization founder Anne Ali.

Estelle Van Meter said the funds she received will help the East 76th Street center provide services such as sewing, square dancing, conversational Spanish and exercise classes--each for 50 cents--to residents 18 and older.

Officer Allen Erkelens, who heads the Explorer Program at the Police Department’s Southeast station, said its money would probably be used to buy uniforms for some of the 35 Explorer Scouts--ages 14 to 20--or to help subsidize the group’s summer trip to Sacramento.

Explorers from South-Central and Watts take part in graffiti paint-out efforts, community cleanup days and perform other services.

“This was a good New Year’s gift,” Erkelens said. “I wish there were more of it.”