Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announce 2014 Season of Giving

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) announced today a schedule of events for the club's 2014 Season of Giving, a community-focused campaign that seeks to improve the lives of children in Los Angeles throughout November and December.

"The Dodgers and LADF implement programs that positively affect our community year-round and we're very proud of that," said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. "This holiday season, we wanted to focus on creating memorable experiences for the community and also provide additional resources during a time that often is a strain for households in underserved areas."

The Season of Giving kicked off last Saturday with the dedication of the 37th and final LADF Dodgers Dreamfield of 2014 at Leland Recreation Center in San Pedro. This dedication took place in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the LA84 Foundation and Security Benefit. More than 200 youngsters participated in a baseball clinic with Dodger Alumni in celebration of the new field and park.

"Commitment to and investment in the Los Angeles community is woven into the fabric of who we are," said LADF Executive Director, Nichol Whiteman. "Our ability to support youth and families is a direct reflection of our ownership, players, coaches, front office and our fans, and we are proud to be able to make the holidays a bit brighter for many in need."

As part of the Dodgers' Season of Giving, LADF will launch an online holiday auction from November 17 to December 8 which will feature autographed memorabilia. All proceeds will support LADF's Dodgers Dreamfields and Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) programs and provide additional support to local nonprofit organizations. 

On Tuesday, November 11, the Dodgers and LADF will welcome 100 pre-selected active duty, reserve and retired service members and their families to Veterans Day Batting Practice at Dodger Stadium as a thank you for their service. Dodgers RBI players will be on hand to assist in conducting the various stations during this fun-filled day for veterans and their families. 

The Dodgers and LADF will host its 10th annual Turkey Giveaway on Wednesday, November 19 in partnership with Ralphs/Food 4 Less. The Turkey Giveaway provides 1,200 turkeys and fixings to the Dodgers Community of Schools and pre-selected nonprofit community organizations and families in need. 

The Dodgers and LADF will officially cut the ribbon on the new Maggie and Andre Ethier Learning Center at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles on December 4. A completely refurbished room, the center will serve as a functioning and comfortable space for URM residents to receive hours of education services. Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten will be on hand with Maggie and Andre Ethier for the official opening.  

On December 7, a member of the Dodgers Alumni League will be a special guest speaker at the Los Angeles Dodgers Boosters Club annual Holiday Brunch where they collect and distribute toys to underserved children.

The Dodgers' annual Children's Holiday Party is set for Thursday, December 11 at Dodger Stadium where 500 pre-selected local school children will experience a winter carnival, games and lunch in the Stadium Club. Youngsters will receive goodies to include toys, courtesy of the Mattel's Children's Foundation.

The Dodgers will also host a shoe giveaway with Betsy and Adrian Gonzalez as they provide much-needed athletic shoes to children in need. Dodger broadcaster Fernando Valenzuela will visit Children's Hospital Los Angeles in December and deliver Dodger holiday gifts to patients. Dates and details will be announced later.

During this holiday season, the Dodgers and LADF will also welcome organizations and co-host various events at Dodger Stadium including:

• The Latino Chamber of Commerce will host local businesses on November 21 for an informative afternoon on the affordability of health coverage, featuring Executive Director of Covered California Peter Lee and California State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez. For more information visit http://lalcc.org/events-calendar/.
• In support of healthy students and families, the Dodgers will co-sponsor the LAUSD 5K 'Move it' Challenge. Thousands of students, teachers, families and employees will participate in this expo and challenge on November 22. For more information visit www.moveit.lausd.net.  
• Spark LA, a LADF grantee, will hold its annual Discovery Night on December 9. Business ideas, movies, products and technology projects created by 250 students from 7 middle schools throughout Los Angeles will be shared with Spark LA families, supporters, mentors and its school partners.
• College Summit Southern California will hold an App-a-thon on December 11. This event will launch a training program for 12th grade students and educators, which will support 10,000 public school students in the Los Angeles area with college access apps. LADF and a matching grant from the Bezos Family Foundation are supporting the pilot of this initiative at Roosevelt High School and Roosevelt High School Magnet.

Dodgers Alumni League members will make appearances at a number of events throughout the community as well as be motivational speakers throughout the season. On November 13, Dennis Powell will speak to students at Santa Monica College as part of their Cool Careers Speakers Forum, an event for the sports and athletics program. Al "The Bull" Ferrara will speak to kindergarten through 12th grade students at the College Bound Steps to Knowledge 5K Walk-A-Thon at Cerritos Regional Park on November 15. On December 7, a member of the Dodgers Alumni League will be a special guest speaker at the Los Angeles Dodgers Boosters Club annual Holiday Brunch where they collect and distribute toys to underserved children. Dodgers Alumni League member Lee Lacy will participate in the annual Echo Park Community Parade on December 13.

Parties interested in making contributions in support of this season and LADF programs can visit www.dodgers.com\ladf. Nonprofit organizations who would like to request an in-kind holiday donation from the Dodgers should visit www.dodgers.com\donations.