Norteno Band Will Make Music for L.A. Children

The Mexican norteno band Los Tigres del Norte will broaden its fan base by inviting Los Angeles Times campership kids to a concert Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

“Los Tigres has been around for many years, they have produced many albums and they have made a lot of money. But unlike other artists, they have always focused on education,” said Dwayne Ulloa, president of AKA Productions, which is producing the concert.

Last year, Ulloa staged the first Cruz Bustamante Cup, a soccer match between the L.A. Galaxy and Las Chivas Rayadas from Guadalajara, raising $2,500 for the camp fund. In addition to the concert, the Los Tigres del Norte Foundation has sponsored 10 children to attend camp this summer, with a $1,250 donation to the camp fund. “By contributing to children in the L.A. community, we are strengthening the future,” said Malu Elizondo, the executive director of the Los Tigres del Norte Foundation. The foundation is also discussing plans for future donations to send more kids to camp each summer.

Kids will also get the opportunity to get their picture taken with the band. “Kids are the future, and we feel happy to serve them,” said lead singer Jorge Hernandez. “None of us got this opportunity growing up, and it’s an honor to give to the new generation.” Los Tigres del Norte is giving children an opportunity to view life in a peaceful, positive and proactive way, by involving them in educational and cultural activities.

“If I can help raise money so that two or three kids can go to camp and get the same experience that I did, then I’m all for it,” said Ulloa. As a child, Ulloa went to Stanley Ranch Camp in Castaic, on a Times campership. He enjoyed the experience so much that he returned as a counselor and, when he was 17, worked as a lifeguard there. During summer camp sessions, Ulloa also stages concerts with popular musical acts at Stanley Ranch to add to campers’ outdoor experience.

He soon hopes to find corporate sponsors so the camp can restore its horseback riding program, Ulloa’s favorite camp activity. “There’s nothing like riding a horse for the first time,” he said. “I hope kids will feel the same thing that I did as a camper.”

Tickets to the Los Tigres concert, which will be held after a six-on-six soccer tournament at the Rose Bowl, are $12.

It costs an average of $125 for a child to spend a week at camp. Every year since 1954, readers and employees of the Los Angeles Times have sent thousands of needy children to camp through The Times Summer Camp Fund.

Because The Times absorbs the cost of the fund’s administration and Bank of America provides accounting services, all donations are used for camperships. The $22 million raised during the last 46 years has allowed more than 350,000 Southland children to enjoy themselves at summer camp. Checks, made out to The Times Summer Camp Fund, should be sent to: Times Summer Camp Fund, File No. 53401, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3401. Credit card donations can also be made by calling (213) 237-2124. Please do not send cash. All donations are tax-deductible.

Unless donors request otherwise, gifts of $25 or more are acknowledged each Tuesday in the Southern California Living section.

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* Jamaal LaFrance is a Times Summer intern with the camp fund administration.

* Readers may send donations, which are tax-deductible, to The Times Summer Camp Fund, File No. 53401, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3401.