Dodger pitcher Clayton Kershaw will host Clayton's Texas BBQ and Hoedown at Dodger Stadium on August 2

LOS ANGELES – Dodger pitcher and 2011 National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and his wife, Ellen announced today that tickets are on sale for Clayton’s Texas BBQ and Hoedown at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, August 2 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Kershaw, who was named to his second consecutive NL All-Star team earlier today, will be joined by several teammates at Clayton’s Texas BBQ and Hoedown and the event will include a concert by Grammy-nominated recording artist Pat Green.

“It means a lot to me to be able to host this event for our charity, that is so important to Ellen and me, here at Dodger Stadium,” said Kershaw. “We’re excited that Dodger fans will have the opportunity to join me, Ellen and a few of my teammates for some great BBQ and music and at the same time help Kershaw’s Challenge.”

The event features family-friendly hoedown activities, silent auction, live auction and raffle, line dancing and entertainment and a Texas-style BBQ and hosted bar. Fastball tickets that include access to the concert, activities and BBQ dinner are $250 per ticket. A VIP reception that will include Kershaw and his teammates is planned from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. VIP tickets that include access to the reception as well as a Fastball ticket are $500 each. Several sponsorship levels are available and all proceeds benefit Kershaw’s Challenge. Tickets to Clayton’s Texas BBQ and Hoedown at Dodger Stadium on August 2 are on sale at www.claytonsbbqandhoedown.com.

Kershaw was named the Dodgers’ 2011 nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player from each team who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement. Last season, Clayton and Ellen launched the Kershaw’s Challenge program and donated $100 for each of his league-leading 248 strikeouts to Arise Africa towards the construction of orphanages in Zambia. Kershaw has also been active in the Los Angeles community throughout his career with his support for Dodgers Dream Foundation youth programs and active participation in his teammates’ charity initiatives.

Clayton and Ellen took their second trip to Zambia last offseason, where they helped the non-profit organization Arise Africa break ground on a new children’s home. They released a book earlier this year, Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself, that tells their story from baseball to Africa and features a forward written by Dodger catcher A.J. Ellis and endorsements from Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and former Dodger pitcher and 1988 Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser.

About Kershaw’s Challenge

Founded by Clayton and Ellen Kershaw, Kershaw's Challenge exists to encourage people to use whatever God-given passion, purpose or talent they have been given to make a difference and give back to others in need.  Kershaw is “Striking out to Serve” this season by donating money to Kershaw's Challenge for every batter he strikes out.

Funds will go towards building Hope's Home, an orphanage for 10-12 children in Lusaka, Zambia who need a place to call home. Last year the Kershaw’s raised money to buy the land and build the structure. This year, they are raising money to furnish the home, buy farmland and build a chicken coop to teach the children valuable lessons, and help to make the home self-sustainable at some point.

Kershaw's Challenge will also donate 10 percent to the Peacock Foundation, an organization that uses rescued animals in a therapy program to bring healing to at-risk and traumatized children and their families throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Kershaw's Challenge donations received will help fund a program called Creature Comfort.

A Foundation for Kids will match funds raised by Kershaw's Challenge with in-kind donations for youth including toys, shoes, clothing, Christmas gifts, school supplies and more for youth ministries.

Kershaw’s Challenge is grateful for the Dodgers continuous support of Kershaw's Challenge, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Dodgers Dream Foundation.

Kershaw's Challenge will give 10 percent of its donations to Mercy Street , a ministry that seeks to see transformation in a West Dallas, Texas neighborhood through mentoring, sports and community development. As a result, Kershaw’s Challenge will help fund a youth baseball program for inner-city kids with baseball equipment.

The final 10 percent will go to I Am Second, a nationwide grassroots and media campaign that empowers people in various walks of life to live for God and others. Kershaw’s Challenge will be partnering with them to donate evangecubes for every strikeout to Arise Africa as an important tool to teach children the gospel in pictures.  

To learn more about Kershaw's Challenge, please visit www.kershawschallenge.com