Dodgers Foundation raises $1.3M at Blue Diamond Gala
Inaugural event hosts 900 guests, honors Jackie Robinson Foundation, more
A good cause turned into a momentous event.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation played host to 900 guests at Dodger Stadium last Thursday at its inaugural Blue Diamond Gala in honor of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, The Los Angeles Fund for Public Education and the LA84 Foundation, and $1.3 million was raised as a result of the event.
That sum total includes matching funds from Dodgers ownership, and executive director of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Nicole Whiteman said the organization was thrilled.
"It's very gratifying to witness the generosity of the L.A. community, Dodgers fans and sponsors that were on hand to experience our inaugural gala," said Whiteman as part of an official press release. "We are especially thankful to the Dodgers coaches and players that joined us on their free evening as well as Dodgers ownership, who made this event a club priority and generously matched funds raised. We look forward to the continued growth of both this event and our foundation for years to come."
Last Thursday's event started with a VIP reception hosted by Dodgers owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Stan Kasten, the team's president and chief executive officer. That reception took place at Top of the Park within Dodger Stadium, and it included a cocktail reception for the guests in center field.
The LA Dodgers Foundation invests $1.5 million into its two flagship programs, Dodgers Dreamfields and Dodgers RBI. Thirty-seven area fields have been built and more than $5 million has been invested in local communities through the foundation.
Dodgers RBI, meanwhile, serves more than 4,000 boys and girls in the community aged 5-18, and the foundation provides all uniforms, equipment and additional resources to the teams. The foundation has also offered more than $1 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations over the years.
The foundation's next big fundraising event is the New Balance Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation 5K & 10K Run and Kids Fun Run, which will take place at Dodger Stadium on Sept. 13.