The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) hosted roughly 400 veterans experiencing homelessness for a Thanksgiving lunch at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers legend Fernando Valenzuela and SportsNet LA broadcasters Joe Davis and Kirsten Watson were in attendance to help with the event.
Each guest was treated to a Thanksgiving meal prepared by LEVY that included turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, pies and more. Valenzuela, Davis and Watson also helped serve the food to each veteran.
“When I addressed the crowd right at the start, I said, ‘I know that it’s probably a special experience for you guys to be here at Dodger Stadium. But speaking selfishly, I think it’s a more special experience for me,'” Davis said.
“To be able to just have this small gesture to show these folks what they’ve meant to us, to me, to the organization, to the whole country, it’s a little thing, a little expression of our gratitude for everything they’ve done. I’m really thrilled I get to be a part of it.”
In addition to the food, the Dodgers announced everyone in attendance is invited to a home game during the 2024 season and all of the veterans received a gift bag with a fitted hat and t-shirt.
The Dodgers also gave out more prizes to a lucky few who were selected in their raffle, which included Field Box MVP tickets and additional gift bags.
The veterans were preselected 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.
Busing was provided by the Dodgers to ensure all veterans had transportation to the event.
The Dodgers previously hosted a Veterans Day batting practice event at the stadium as they work to give back to the community and honor those who served.
Dodgers donating Thanksgiving food
For nearly two decades, the 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 sides to Angelenos in need.
Their work also continued on Friday, when Mookie Betts and his wife Brianna partnered with the LADF and additional organizations to provide groceries for Thanksgiving meals, including turkey, fixings and dessert.
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