Justin Turner was not among the six Los Angeles Dodgers All-Stars, but he remained heavily involved in the Midsummer Classic returning to Dodger Stadium for the first time since 1980.
Last week, the Justin Turner Foundation joined MLB and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation in unveiling a renovated Volunteers of of America Transition House in Skid Row, and Turner was among those on hand for the Opening Ceremony of Play Ball Park at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
His involvement in All-Star Week Los Angeles festivities culminated in collaborating with wife Kourtney Turner tho a star-studded celebrity bingo event at Santa Monica Pier and Beach.
“This is Kourt’s dream. She’s a Midwest girl, so when we go back to Indiana, we do all kinds of bingo back there,” Turner told DodgerBlue.com. “What better way to tie two things that we love — our foundation and bingo — into an event to raise money.”
#AllStarOceanfront bingo by @JTFoundation10 pic.twitter.com/fTgKyLkJ1Y
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) July 17, 2022
The Turners were joined by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, Andre Ethier, Tony Gonsolin, Gavin Lux, Chris Rose, Byron Scott, Justin Hartley of NBC’s hit show “This is Us,” Jimmy O’Brien and Jomboy Media staff members, plus “Ham” (Patrick Renna), “Yeah-Yeah” (Marty York) and “Timmy Timmons” (Victor Diamatta) of “The Sandlot.”
Rose emceed the event and welcomed a rotation of the athletes and celebrities onto the stage for each bingo game.
Among the items available in five different prize packages were tickets to the Field of Dreams Game, Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and a one-hour hitting session with Turner himself.
NHL player Tyler Toffoli won the Field of Dreams tickets but bypassed collecting his prize to allow for another recipient.
“It was such a dream come true to see everyone coming together to play bingo for a great cause,” Kourtney said. “I grew up playing bingo with friends and family, and what I love about it is that it is all ages, super competitive and everyone can enjoy.
“You never know exactly how a new event is going to go over, but almost immediately everyone was laser focused on their cards and nervously anticipating their numbers to be called. You could feel the tension and it was an absolute blast.”
Money raised at the event benefitted the Justin Turner Foundation, which continues to focus on providing for homeless veterans, children and families impacted by life-altering illnesses and diseases, and various youth baseball initiatives.
Some of their work was seen days prior at a local transition house, where the Justin Turner Foundation funded the renovation of a dining room and common area. “It really started two years ago when we were supposed to host the All-Star Game,” Turner said.
“Karla, who works for the Dodgers and helps us out with the foundation as well, went and saw the T-House and immediately thought of us. So we’ve been a part of it for two years now. To team up with MLB and make such a difference down in Skid Row and turn this place into such a beautiful, amazing transition house that is going to provide hope, direction and care for all the veterans is just amazing.”
Kourtney added: “It was awesome because one of the T-House veterans was actually able to attend the bingo tournament and won a huge prize package with All-Star Game tickets, a Hyperice Normatec 2.0 and Mattressfirm mattress.
“We were all going crazy cheering for him as he made his way to the stage to accept his win. That is what it is all about, making memories and lifting up those in need.”
Second annual Turner Trot 5K
After a successful virtual event last year, the Turner Trot 5K is returning in September and will include an in-person option. Those able to complete the 3.1-mile trek will have the option to walk, jog or run a path that begins at Dodger Stadium and concludes at The Dream Center.
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