Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation to host Thanksgiving community events this week
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will host two very special Thanksgiving events this week: a luncheon at Dodger Stadium serving veterans experiencing homelessness – and, in partnership with the Brotherhood Crusade (BHC), UCLA Health, Mookie Betts’ 50/50 Foundation and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson - a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive thru in South L.A.
The first event will take place on Thursday, November 16, when Dodger Stadium will be transformed into festive space as the club opens its gates to more than 400 veterans experiencing homelessness for a memorable Thanksgiving lunch. Each of the 400 special guests will be treated to a traditional Thanksgiving feast, prepared by LEVY. In addition to the delicious meal, each veteran will receive a gift bag filled with essentials and tokens of appreciation. The Dodgers will provide buses to ensure that all veterans have transportation. In addition, the veterans will have the opportunity to take a photograph with the 2020 World Series trophy and a special raffle will be held, offering an array of exciting prizes.
The veterans will come from Veterans of America Los Angeles (VOALA) Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing (HUD-VASH), VOALA Transitional housing, VOALA Supportive Service to Veterans Families (SSVF), VOALA Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program, VOALA Los Angeles VA Medical Center and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) HUD-VASH, SSVF and Transitional Housing.
As has been customary, for more than 19 years, the Los Angeles Dodgers have provided turkeys to the local community during the holiday season. This year, the Dodgers donated a total of $30,000 to six local charities that will provide turkeys and trimmings to Angelenos in need.
On Friday, November 17, LADF in partnership with Brotherhood Crusade and Mooke Betts’ 50/50 Foundation, will host a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive-thru at Algin Sutton Recreation Center in South Los Angeles, home to Dodgers Dreamfields #1 and #50. Mookie and Brianna Betts will join volunteers in distributing groceries for Thanksgiving meals including turkey, fixings and dessert. Each family will also receive a care kit from UCLA Health, the Official Health Partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shawn and Sharhonda Stockman founders of Micah’s Voice have also contributed to the distribution.
The event, which is open to the public and first come, first serve, will provide 1,500 meals free of charge, while supplies last.
Since 2018, LADF has provided Brotherhood Crusade with over $416,000 in grants. This year is the third year of the 50 Feeds LA Campaign, started in partnership with Mookie's 50/50 Foundation to address food insecurity. Dodger fans supported the campaign in stadium back in May and Mookie matched funds which allowed LADF to support BHC with their largest grant to date totaling $130,230.
More details are below.
Dodgers Luncheon for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
When: Thursday, November 16
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
*Where: * Dodger Stadium Centerfield Plaza
Who: 400 homeless veterans
Gavin Lux, Dodger infielder
Chris Taylor, Dodger outfielder/infielder
Fernando Valenzuela, Dodger legend and broadcaster
Joe Davis, Dodger broadcaster
Stephen Nelson, Dodger broadcaster
Kristin McCowan, Senior Director, Government and Community Affairs, Los Angeles Dodgers
Thanksgiving Grab and Go Drive-Thru
*When: * Friday, November 17
Where: Algin Sutton Recreation Center
8800 S Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90044
*Time: *10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (while supplies last)
Who: Nichol Whiteman, CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
Charisse Bremond Weaver, President & CEO, Brotherhood Crusade
Mookie & Brianna Betts, Dodger outfielder and his wife
