The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) and Baby2Baby hosted more than 500 students from the Los Angeles Unified School District for a holiday party at Dodger Stadium that featured an array of activities, presents, photo opportunity with Santa, fun on the field, lunch and more.
“We’re providing students throughout Los Angeles Unified School District with a ton that we think is going to bring them some really holiday cheer,” LADF chief executive officer Nichol Whiteman said.
“They’re taking home blankets, books, toys, hygiene essentials and so many things that some of these students never would have experienced during this holiday season. They also get to participate in a winter wonderland, including a snow hill and being on the field at Dodger Stadium.
“Every Angeleno deserves an opportunity to smile. At this time of year, it can be daunting for families, whether that’s because of violence in the neighborhood, lack of food or shelter, and lack of basic necessities. So it’s really important for us to be able to provide for families.”
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, third base coach Dino Ebel and prospect Miguel Vargas were on hand to interact with the students at various activations. Vanessa Bryant, her daughter Natalia, Lori Harvey, Kelly Rowland, Lauren Sanchez and LAUSD superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho also were among those to attend.
Roberts, who was accompanied by his daughter Emme being home from college, got swept up in the fun and went down the snow hill. Roberts, Emme and Whiteman all spilled over as they crashed into a hay barrier, but came up laughing.
“What more could you want?” Roberts said with a smile.
Roberts and his daughter helped distribute gifts to children as they passed through a designated toy shop area before continuing to have lunch in the outfield pavilion.
“It’s a great, great time,” Roberts said. “It lets me know we can use Dodger Stadium for other things outside of baseball. I never had a chance to be on a Major League field until I was a ballplayer, so to have these kids run the bases, it’s something they’ll remember forever.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation partnership with Baby2Baby
Back in July, the LADF and Baby2Baby came together to assemble basic essential kits as part of the 2022 All-Star Legacy project.
The Dodgers, LADF and MLB provided more than 175,000 basic essential items for local youth and families living in poverty. The initiative was expected to impact over 5,000 students and families at Los Angeles schools.
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