Annual Dodgers Love L.A. community Tour presented by Bank of America kicks off Monday, January 30
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers will hold their 19th annual community service week – Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour presented by Bank of America – beginning Monday, January 30 – Friday, February 3. The week will end with the return of FanFest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 4.
The 2023 community tour will feature 10 events throughout Los Angeles County with participation from Dodger players, coaches, alumni, and front office staff in addition to Bank of America employees. The Dodgers are committed to bringing the spirit of the team to all of Los Angeles and as such, this tour will be a tribute to the cultural fabric of the city.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Bank of America for our 19th annual community service tour,” said Kristin McCowan, Senior Director, Government & Community Affairs. “This year, we will be traveling to various areas throughout Los Angeles County. From Long Beach to Sylmar, and the West Side to South LA, every community is part of the extensive Dodgers’ family and we’re looking forward to providing resources and fun-filled experiences to fans throughout the week.”
“The Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour presented by Bank of America is always one of our favorite opportunities each year to give back to our local community and inspire others to do the same,” said Raul A. Anaya, Bank of America president, Los Angeles. “From planting trees and meal prep to helping kids shop for necessities, Bank of America teammates will be volunteering side by side with Dodger players, alum, and staff for this exciting, impactful week.”
The week will kick off with the Dodgers annual Employee Day of Service with a focus on environmental equity. Front office staff, LADF staff, former players and Bank of America staff will spend the day in Compton at Los Angeles Conservation Corps site at Compton Creek Natural Park planting fruit, vegetables, and herbs thereby increasing the number of neighbors that can benefit from access to a thriving community garden. Exercise equipment in the public park spaces will be refreshed along with other refurbishment and landscaping projects throughout the three acres of greenspace. In the event of rain, the Employee Day of Service will take place on Monday, February 6, 2023.
Monday evening, Dodger alumni and staff alongside Bank of America volunteers, will host the Worthy of Love organization for the fifth time. On the eve of Jackie Robinson’s 105th birthday, Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium will be transformed into every child’s birthday dream come true as families with children experiencing homelessness will gather to celebrate their birthday. Festivities for 500 participants will include a petting zoo, face painters, dinosaurs, a DJ, giveaways, dinner, and cake because “every child is worthy of love”.
On Tuesday morning, Freddie Freeman will join Bank of America volunteers, and Long Beach Salvation Army staff and volunteers, to host a special food distribution event. This is a ticketed event and local Long Beach families have been selected based on need. Every family of four will receive a box of food items that will feed each family member three meals per day for four days, a commitment of 7200 meals served to 600 individuals. Freddie Freeman, Dodger and Bank of America staff and volunteers will distribute food boxes, Dodger giveaways, and more via this drive through event.
Later in the day, in honor of our annual Healthcare Appreciation night which will take place on Friday, April 14, 2023, Dodger and Bank of America volunteers will greet healthcare workers at Reagan UCLA Health Center in Westwood to thank them for their continued hard work. Dodger giveaways will be provided along with food donated by Dunkin’.
On Wednesday, February 1, the start of Black History Month, Dodger outfielder Trayce Thompson alongside Dodger broadcaster Kirsten Watson, will be joined by LAUSD middle school students to commemorate this moment. 300 students from predominantly black schools will participate in a baseball clinic with the Dodgers’ Training Academy, stretching and breathing exercises along with food and nutrition lessons will be provided, and a Q&A with Kirsten and Trayce will culminate the day. The event will take place at the Dodgers’ Dream Field located at Darby Park in Inglewood.
On Thursday morning, two educational events will take place simultaneously. In Sylmar, 300 LAUSD elementary school students from the Northeast Valley area will join Chris Taylor, Bank of America executives and staff, and Dodger staff at the Discovery Cube to learn about environmental science, health and nutrition, sustainability, and more. Across town in Manhattan Beach, Dodger manager Dave Roberts and alum Eric Karros will join California Pizza Kitchen’s Chef Paul to lead a cooking class with 35 adult participants from the Best Buddies program. These adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will gain additional culinary skills and tips. For those preparing to transition to independent living, and those already living independently, this cooking class will be a memorable, empowering, and educational experience for all participants.
Closing out the day on Thursday, Dodger pitchers, Tony Gonsolin, Alex Vesia, and Evan Phillips will visit the new WSS facility on La Tijera and will join Bank of America to shop for shoes with 100 local students. Students will be sized by players and will take home a new pair of Nike shoes. In addition, 100 pairs of shoes will be donated to CASA of Los Angeles, a local foster youth organization operating in Monterey Park.
Rounding out the week are two events that will get everyone pumped up and ready for the season. Dodger players and legends will start the morning by surprising 1700 students at Whittier High School for a Hispanic heritage themed pep rally to get students and faculty excited about the upcoming Dodger season. The rally will include games and competitions between students and players, live music, dance acts, and more. Dodger staff, Bank of America executives and staff will be onsite along with the players for this annual festive event. The Cruz Show from Real 92.3 will serve as the event emcee.
Capping off the week’s activities, Dodger players Miguel Rojas, Phil Bickford, and Ryan Pepiot, will surprise unknowing customers at a Jack in the Box as they take orders, cook up fries, and serve customers at the counter and drive thru.