Dodgers launch new community initiative, Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, tomorrow

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today a new community program, Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball, which will play host to 250 youngsters at each of 51 Dodgers games throughout the season, courtesy of the Dodgers. A total of 12,750 Los Angeles area inner-city youth will board a customized Dodger bus to Dodger Stadium and will each receive a ticket to a Dodger game, voucher for a Dodger Dog and beverage and a Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball T-shirt. 

"It is our pleasure to launch Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball and host children at our games who otherwise may not get the opportunity to experience 'Blue Heaven on Earth'," said Dodger Owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "Our success on the field is just as important as how successful we are off the field in the LA community. I believe Kids 4 Dodgers baseball is a very special addition to the Dodgers' community outreach programs."

Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball is designed to reach Los Angeles region schools, youth centers and nonprofit organizations that serve low-income youth and their families who due to economic hardship may not have the resources to attend a Dodger game. In addition to transportation to and from the game, Reserve level tickets, meal vouchers and T-shirts, the Dodgers will welcome each group with a message on the Dodger ribbon board.

Tomorrow 250 youngsters from Catholic Charities of Los Angeles will attend the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m. Catholic Charities, a non-profit gang prevention youth center located in Wilmington, offers services that include shelter and housing, education and training, social services, financial literacy, refugee and immigrant assistance, food-related services, clothing and utility assistance and job training. Phoenix Continuation School, which serves at-risk high school students, and The West Angeles Church Youth group located in South LA, which serves youth ages 5 to 18 from surrounding urban communities, will be in attendance Saturday at the 5:10 p.m. game against the Diamondbacks.

Each Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball group is pre-selected and chosen through an application process. Groups interested in being considered for the Kids 4 Dodgers Baseball program can contact the Dodgers' community relations department by calling (323) 224-1435 or can apply online at www.dodgers.com/K4DB.