Dodgers 11th annual Community Caravan presented by State Farm begins Monday
Monday through Thursday will feature members of the Dodger Alumni League and Friday will feature current Dodger players
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers will embark on their eleventh annual Community Service Caravan, Pitching in the Community presented by State Farm, beginning Monday, January 27 with Dodger alumni visiting various organizations throughout greater Los Angeles through Thursday, January 30. Current Dodger players will take part in a variety of community service activities on Friday, January 31.
The Dodgers' Pitching in the Community presented by State Farm is a week-long civic engagement initiative where Dodger players, alumni and employees join together in partnership with community based organizations to help promote and support work that is positively changing the lives of children, teens and adults. Through this initiative, the Dodgers continue to build on their tradition of community service with the goal of inspiring youth and adults to play, learn, live and serve.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will supplement this initiative with a $2,000 grant to qualifying organizations participating in this year's Community Service Caravan.
The schedule below outlines Pitching in the Community presented by State Farm from Monday through Thursday led by members of the Dodger Alumni League. Details on the final day of service featuring current Dodgers set for Friday, January 31 will follow.
Monday, January 27: WE LIVE
Day one of Pitching in the Community will feature Ron Cey, Kenny Landreaux, Matt Luke and Dennis Powell who will visit Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). CHLA has been named the best children's hospital on the West Coast and is among the top five in the nation for clinical excellence with its selection to the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. CHLA provides more than 104,000 children with pediatric health care in a setting designed for their needs.
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CHLA
4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90027
Dodger alumni will visit CHLA playrooms and engage with patients in arts and crafts and games as well as visit patients in room. Clear Channel Radio will be broadcasting live as part of a radiothon fundraiser benefitting CHLA. The radiothon will be co-hosted by Dodger alumnus Eric Karros. Dodger alumni will also take photos and sign autographs for patients and their families in support on this event.
Tuesday, January 28: WE PLAY
Dodger alumni Tommy Davis, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Tim Leary and Derrel Thomas will partake in day two of Pitching in the Community with a visit to Moffitt Elementary School/Playworks and will host McBride Park Teen Center at Dodger Stadium for ice skating. Playworks, a national not-for-profit organization partners with public elementary schools and develops play and leadership opportunities on the playground. They create a place where every kid belongs, has fun and is part of the game. The goal of Playworks is to ensure a place that is safe and welcoming, where kids can play and thrive, belong and contribute. McBride Park Teen Center serves Long Beach Poly High students and neighboring teens and provides after school social and recreational programs in a safe and positive environment that enhance personal and social skills, teach responsibility and leadership. Activities provided promote self-esteem, inspire positive personal growth and increase citizenship to Long Beach youth.
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Playworks - Moffitt Elementary School
13323 South Goller Avenue Norwalk, 90650
Dodger alumni will join Playworks staff and youngsters during their lunch and recess periods in playing handball, jump rope, Hula Hoop tag, four square and lacrosse. Dodger alumni will also assist in a stepping stone project where all will paint and sign stones that will be placed in Moffitt Elementary School's Reading Garden in honor of the Dodgers and their day of service. The visit will conclude with a school-wide assembly featuring Q&A with Dodger alumni and Moffitt Elementary teachers.
3:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. McBride Teen Center Ice Skating at Dodger Stadium
Dodger alumni will host McBride Teen Center at Dodger Stadium at the NHL ice skating rink. Teens will be provided with bus transportation to Dodger Stadium for an hour of ice skating.
Wednesday, January 29: WE LEARN
Day three of Pitching in the Community will feature Dodger alumni Tommy Davis, "Sweet" Lou Johnson, Lee Lacy, Wes Parker and Bill Russell who will visit West Adams Preparatory High School and LA Universal Preschool (LAUP). West Adams Preparatory High School serves nearly 2,700 students and their families. Students at West Adams Prep enroll in one of six thematic small learning schools, each with its own academic focus. Each school offers innovative instruction, is academically rigorous, and provides unique educational opportunities through partnerships with leading community-based organizations and corporate leaders. Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide access to quality early childhood education programs for children in Los Angeles County. High-quality preschool programs provide children with a solid foundation for success and LAUP is dedicated to improving the overall quality of preschool which helps to create lifelong learners.
8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. West Adams Preparatory High School
1500 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, 90007
Dodger alumni will join West Adams Prep culinary students during their cooking class. Food will be prepared and served to honor students and their parents as part of a ceremonial event recognizing the academic achievements of several students. A Dodger alumnus will help present awards to the students.
10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. LA Universal Preschool (LAUP)
4000 South Main Street Los Angeles, 90037
Dodger alumni will visit LAUP and read to children as well as participate in an arts activity. They will enjoy lunch together courtesy of the Time Warner Cable Hot Dog Truck.
Thursday, January 30: WE SERVE
The fourth day of "Pitching in the Community will feature Dodger alumni Billy Ashley, Ron Cey, Al Ferrara, Reggie Smith and Steve Yeager who will visit Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends more than 100,000 care packages annually filled with snacks, entertainment, hand-made items and personal letters of appreciation to Veterans, First Responders, Wounded Warriors, Care Givers and to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed overseas. Operation Gratitude's mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of Active Duty and Veteran communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for all Americans to express their appreciation to members of the military. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 1,000,000 care packages.
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Operation Gratitude
National Guard Armory
17330 Victory Blvd. Van Nuys, 91406
Dodger alumni will be welcomed by Operation Gratitude Founder and CEO Carolyn Blashek, Operation Gratitude Director of Operations Angel Cuevas and a recent Marine veteran. The group will then help assemble packages to be sent to deployed military members and will be joined by uniformed U.S. Army personnel and U.S. Army recruits.
More information on the Los Angeles Dodgers Community Relations and the club's charitable endeavors can be found by visiting www.dodgers.com/community.
Media should contact the Dodgers Public Relations department for more information on the Dodgers Community Service Caravan, Pitching in the Community presented by State Farm and to confirm attendance. All featured guests subject to change.