Dodger pitcher Josh Lindblom will launch the Josh Lindblom Foundation today
Lindblom and wife Aurielle will officially launch their foundation before today’s game against the Angels
Dodger pitcher Josh Lindblom and wife Aurielle will officially launch their charity The Josh Lindblom Foundation today prior to the 7:10 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Lindbloms will host more than 500 individuals at today’s game from The Dream Center, a volunteer driven organization that The Lindblom Foundation is largely committed to and that offers residential rehabilitation programs for teens and adults. Pastor Matthew Barnett, director of The Dream Center, will join the Lindbloms today as part of pre-game ceremonies in support of the official launch of the Josh Lindblom Foundation.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the Dodgers in raising awareness for our foundation and also for The Dream Center,” said Lindblom. “Competing at the best level for the Dodgers is just as important as my commitment to the Los Angeles community which the foundation and my work with The Dream Center allows me to do.”
West Lafayette, Indiana natives Josh and Aurielle Lindblom began work on The Josh Lindblom Foundation in their hometown. Lindblom made his Major League debut with the Dodgers on June 1, 2011 and since then the Lindblom family has connected with The Dream Center and committed to longstanding volunteerism in the Los Angeles community at this organization that serves more than 40,000 people per month.
“We feel deeply connected to The Dream Center and believe our mission with The Josh Lindblom Foundation fits so closely with what The Dream Center provides the community,” said Aurielle Lindblom. “It makes me so happy to volunteer at The Dream Center several times a week and I am very excited about the future of The Josh Lindblom Foundation.”
The Dream Center, a volunteer driven organization, was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son Matthew and currently offers services and programs including residential rehabilitation programs for teens and adults, a shelter for victims of human trafficking, a transitional shelter for homeless families, mobile hunger relief and medical programs, and a foster care intervention outreach that works with Los Angeles County’s Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to keep families intact by delivering the required furnishings, clothing and food to assure that their homes meet DCFS standards. Programs such as adult basic education, job skills training, and life skills counseling are also offered. There are 100 independent Dream Centers nationally, as well as internationally.
One of the pillars of The Josh Lindblom Foundation is the Answer the Call Program that began on Opening Day this season. The Lindbloms’ inspiration for this program was based on Josh’s role as a relief pitcher for the Dodgers and that each call to enter the game out of the bullpen is an opportunity to make a positive impact on the game. The Lindbloms believe that opportunity extends to impacting the Los Angeles community. Raising nearly $3,000 to date, the Answer the Call Program, donates $52 to The Dream Center and $52 to the Josh Lindblom Foundation’s efforts in Lafayette, Indiana for every appearance made by Lindblom during the 2012 season.
Also, this past offseason, the Lindbloms held The Josh Lindblom Foundation’s first Charity Game Night to support Food Finders Food Bank’s Tippecanoe County BackPack Program in their hometown. The event raised $20,000 for the local BackPack Program.
The Lindbloms volunteer as many times as they can per week during Dodger homestands at The Dream Center. They have been joined by coaches and teammates including Dodgers bench coach Trey Hillman and All-Star center fielder Matt Kemp.
Lindblom, who will turn 25 on Friday, has established himself as a key member of the Dodger bullpen in just his second big league season, leading qualifying Los Angeles relievers with a 2.25 ERA and limiting opposing hitters to a .200 batting average. The 6-foot-4 right-hander also ranks among the NL leaders with 13 holds (T-2nd), 32.0 innings pitched as a reliever (5th) and 29 appearances (T-12th).
Prior to today’s game, Aurielle Lindblom will attend batting practice with guests from The Dream Center. The Dodgers will debut a video feature on DodgerVision on The Lindblom Foundation and its mission and the Lindbloms will be joined by The Dream Center Founder Director Matthew Barnett for an on-field introduction as part of pre-game ceremonies. More than 500 individuals and staff from The Dream Center will attend the game tomorrow night courtesy of The Josh Lindblom Foundation.