Mookie Betts joined the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) in hosting a Thanksgiving Grab and Go drive-thru event at Algin Sutton Recreation Center. It was in partnership with Brotherhood Crusade, Acts Inspired by Mookie and Magic Johnson Enterprises, to assist those in need.
Betts was accompanied by his fiancé, Brianna Hammonds, mother and other family members in distributing bags containing a 16-pound turkey, fixings and dessert, along with hygiene supplies and personal protective equipment from UCLA Health to 1,000 families.
“You’ve got to remember where you came from. For me, I came from an area like this in Nashville,” Betts said from the site of the first and 50th Dodgers Dreamfields. “I finally got to my spot in life where I can give back, and you never know whose day you can affect.
“I do anything and everything I can to help out … This is like my home now. You’ve got to help your hometown. I’m going to be here for a long time, and really I’m just here to help anyone.”
Betts has previously partnered with the LADF on a community initiative, and his presence at the front of the drive-thru line further highlighted the day’s festivities. “It makes a tremendous impact,” Dodgers Foundation CEO Nichol Whiteman said.
“When Mookie signed with the Dodgers, he and his team were very adamant that they wanted to feed Los Angeles. So we launched the campaign, ’50 Feeds LA,’ and we’ve been inviting fans to contribute to our fundraising efforts to be able to provide donations to organizations like Brotherhood Crusade, so that we can contribute so many meals.”
Betts, LADF provide grant
As a result of the “50 Feeds LA” campaign to address food insecurity, the LADF and Acts Inspired by Mookie (AIM) awarded a $100,000 grant to Brotherhood Crusade to provide 400,000 meals for underserved communities in Los Angeles.
To date, over 4.5 million meals have been donated to Los Angeles families via more than 50 distributions. In addition, $3 million in donations of water, hygiene necessities, gift cards, sports equipment, educational items and Dodgers memorabilia have been provided to vulnerable families.
“It doesn’t have to be a lot,” Betts said. “Just get out and help a little. It really goes a long way if everybody helps just a little.”
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