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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Past time to deal with derelict houses ... Flies-only season starts Tuesday on upper Rogue ... Spring chinook might benefit from new boundary ... Our View: Past time to deal with derelict houses ... Flies-only season starts Tuesday on upper Rogue ... Spring chinook might benefit from new boundary ... A gift from the heart Medford's Laz Ayala donates $50,000 to Kids Unlimited A local real-estate developer has donated $50,000 to Kids Unlimited, citing personal and civic reasons for wanting to help the Medford nonprofit youth program. Comment By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Jan. 23, 2010 at 12:05 AM Updated Jan 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM By Sanne Specht Posted Jan. 23, 2010 at 12:05 AM Updated Jan 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM » Social News A local real-estate developer has donated $50,000 to Kids Unlimited, citing personal and civic reasons for wanting to help the Medford nonprofit youth program. Laz Ayala, 42, said the work of Kids Unlimited is unprecedented in the Rogue Valley. He said the center's value to the community is critical for the support and stability of the region's youths. "I believe in what Kids Unlimited does. I am very proud to be able to support this mission," he said. The owner of Ayala Properties LLC said the programs at Kids Unlimited offer more than an opportunity to play sports or help kids with their homework. "The organization helps kids to fight poverty, to fight crime and to fight gang involvement," Ayala said. Tom Cole, director of Kids Unlimited, said Ayala's generous gift "was very unexpected, but represents a significant contribution toward our capital campaign." Ayala's gift also is a strong endorsement from a committed civic leader, Cole said. "We are very honored that Laz has invested in our mission," he said. "His commitment to education and the provision of opportunities for kids is something we are very grateful for." Most of the kids at the center come from lower-income families who may not be able to participate in team sports without the help of Kids Unlimited programs, he said. Ayala moved to Medford in his early teens. Now a successful businessman, he said he is grateful for the opportunity to give back to his community. He also remembers being young, part of a struggling family and anxious about fitting in with his peers. "I'm an immigrant myself," Ayala said. "I came here at age 13. So I can personally identify and relate to the kids that we're serving." Ayala said he met Cole about eight years ago during "Un Mundo de Oportunitades" — an annual educational conference at Rogue Community College which supports higher education goals. Children involved in Kids Unlimited's after-school programs learn the value of education as well as valuable life skills, Ayala said. "Education is the best way to address the problems that we have in our community," he said, "and their programs support education." Ayala also volunteers as a coach in the center's fledgling soccer program, and he hopes to help expand opportunities for kids interested in a sport he loves. "I want to give back to the community I live in and raise my kids in," said Ayala. "This community has been very good to me, and I want to see everyone's kids do a little better." Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 541-776-4497 or e-mail [email protected]. By Sanne Specht MailTribune.com By Sanne Specht Posted Jan. 23, 2010 at 12:05 AM Updated Jan 23, 2010 at 12:06 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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