Ellen and Clayton Kershaw will honor Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley with the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award at the seventh annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose celebrity tournament on Aug. 8 at Dodger Stadium. Bryan Cranston will again emcee the night.
The annual event is attended by several of Kershaw’s teammates and members of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, as well as other professional athletes and celebrities. “The ping pong event has become a highlight for us every year,” said Ellen and Clayton.
“It’s awesome to have so many teammates and friends from the LA community come out to support a cause that is so important to us. Kershaw’s Challenge is able to give away funds to our beneficiaries because we have such a wide base of support.
“Ping Pong 4 Purpose serves a great purpose and it is also a lot of fun! August 8th is shaping up to be our best event yet! A great night for a great cause—come join us!”
The Paisley couple, who will be recognized for their charitable work, are the third to receive the Impact Award. The inaugural award went to Dodgers part-owner Magic Johnson in 2017, and Camila and Matthew McConaughey last year for their charitable efforts through the Just Keep Livin Foundation.
Jon Cryer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Taye Diggs, Emily Osment, Roselyn Sanchez, Mario Lopez, Danny Trejo, Cody Christian, Omar Miller, Troy Garity, WWE champion Paul “Big Show,” Orel Hershiser, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner and several other current Dodgers are among those expected to be in attendance.
This year’s Ping Pong 4 Purpose continues the ongoing mission of Kershaw’s Challenge to help the lives of others in need at home and internationally, impacting children and families in the Los Angeles community, Dominican Republic and Africa.
Beneficiaries of Kershaw’s charity include the Dream Center, Just Keep Livin Foundation, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), International Justice Mission, Both Ends Believing and Arise Africa.
Among ongoing initiatives Kershaw’s Challenge is completing with the charities, includes building classrooms and parks, bringing after-school programs into Los Angeles schools, supporting rescue and restoration efforts for victims of sex trafficking, and more.
Kershaw’s Challenge has additionally partnered with the LADF to refurbish Jackie Robinson Stadium and construct a new “Field 42” at Gonzales Park in the City of Compton.
The renovation of Jackie Robinson Stadium will see upgrades to the field, outfield fence, dugouts, scoreboard, backstop, lighting, bathrooms/locker room facilities and spectator viewing areas.
The new “Field 42” will serve youth ages 5-12 and enhance the playing experience for baseball and softball players in the area with a new large LED scoreboard, windscreens on the outfield wall, an enclosed batting cage and a new irrigation and watering system to ensure that the field stays ready for play well into the future.
Tickets and VIP packages are available now for the seventh Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose tournament. A VIP package includes dinner in the Lexus Dugout Club at Dodger Stadium.
