Jansen helps Dodgers hand out 1,200 turkeys

LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was joined by alumni Ron Cey and Dennis Powell in the 14th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Dodger Stadium on Friday.
"This shows you how great this organization is, and it's awesome to be a part of it," Jansen said. "We're putting smiles on people's faces and helping them enjoy their holidays."
A total of 1,200 meals provided by partner Smart & Final were distributed. Also partnering with the Dodgers were Rep. Jimmy Gomez, California State Sen. Kevin de Leon, California State Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. City Councilmen Gil Cedillo and Mitch O'Farrell. Their offices selected recipients among their constituents.
Also selected were students in the "Community of Schools," a strategic community partnership to improve the education and wellness of children attending local schools (all Title I) and living in communities surrounding Dodger Stadium.

Beneficiaries of Friday's program also included participants of Dodgers RBI (the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation's youth baseball and softball program), local residents from communities surrounding Dodgers Dreamfields and the Bresse Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported by LADF.
"Many of our community members are coming from underserved areas that wouldn't normally have a Thanksgiving, and because of Smart & Final and our volunteers, they're going to have a great Thanksgiving," said Naomi Rodriguez, the Dodgers' vice president of external affairs and community relations.
"We are honored to be here today as part of this Thanksgiving giveaway," said Joe VanDette, Smart & Final Group's vice president of marketing. "Smart & Final is about food, but more importantly, we're about the community and we're proud to be part of this event."

While distributing turkeys on Friday, Jansen said he will undergo heart surgery on Nov. 26, but he's expected to be fully recovered by Spring Training.
"If we don't find anything, so let's say they go in and nothing happens, everything is good, I will be done in two weeks," Jansen said. "But if something is abnormal, then I'll be down for eight weeks. ... But I still can do all my [offseason work] to get ready for Opening Day."