ANNUAL DODGERS LOVE L.A. COMMUNITY TOUR PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA KICKS OFF MONDAY, JANUARY 30

The Los Angeles Dodgers will hold their 19^th annual community service week – Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour presented by Bank of America – beginning Monday, January 30 – Friday, February 3. The week will end with the return of FanFest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 4. 

The 2023 community tour will feature 10 events throughout Los Angeles County with participation from Dodger players, coaches, alumni, and front office staff in addition to Bank of America employees. The Dodgers are committed to bringing the spirit of the team to all of Los Angeles and as such, this tour will be a tribute to the cultural fabric of the city.  

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Bank of America for our 19^th annual community service tour,” said Kristin McCowan, Senior Director, Government & Community Affairs. “This year, we will be traveling to various areas throughout Los Angeles County. From Long Beach to Sylmar, and the West Side to South LA, every community is part of the extensive Dodgers’ family and we’re looking forward to providing resources and fun-filled experiences to fans throughout the week.” 

“The Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour presented by Bank of America is always one of our favorite opportunities each year to give back to our local community and inspire others to do the same,” said Raul A. Anaya, Bank of America president, Los Angeles.?“From planting trees and meal prep to helping kids shop for necessities, Bank of America teammates will be volunteering side by side with Dodger players, alum, and staff for this exciting, impactful week.” ? 

The week will kick off with the Dodgers annual Employee Day of Service with a focus on environmental equity. Front office staff, LADF staff, former players and Bank of America staff will spend the day in Compton at Los Angeles Conservation Corps site at Compton Creek Natural Park planting fruit, vegetables, and herbs thereby increasing the number of neighbors that can benefit from access to a thriving community garden. Exercise equipment in the public park spaces will be refreshed along with other refurbishment and landscaping projects throughout the three acres of greenspace. In the event of rain, the Employee Day of Service will take place on Monday, February 6, 2023. 

Monday evening, Dodger alumni and staff alongside Bank of America volunteers, will host the Worthy of Love organization for the fifth time. On the eve of Jackie Robinson’s 105^th birthday, Centerfield Plaza at Dodger Stadium will be transformed into every child’s birthday dream come true as families with children experiencing homelessness will gather to celebrate their birthday. Festivities for 500 participants will include a petting zoo, face painters, dinosaurs, a DJ, giveaways, dinner, and cake because “every child is worthy of love”.

On Tuesday morning, Freddie Freeman will join Bank of America volunteers, and Long Beach Salvation Army staff and volunteers, to host a special food distribution event. This is a ticketed event and local Long Beach families have been selected based on need. Every family of four will receive a box of food items that will feed each family member three meals per day for four days, a commitment of 7200 meals served to 600 individuals. Freddie Freeman, Dodger and Bank of America staff and volunteers will distribute food boxes, Dodger giveaways, and more via this drive through event.  

Later in the day, in honor of our annual Healthcare Appreciation night which will take place on Friday, April 14, 2023, Dodger and Bank of America volunteers will greet healthcare workers at Reagan UCLA Health Center in Westwood to thank them for their continued hard work. Dodger giveaways will be provided along with food donated by Dunkin’. 

On Wednesday, February 1, the start of Black History Month, Dodger outfielder Trayce Thompson alongside Dodger broadcaster Kirsten Watson, will be joined by LAUSD middle school students to commemorate this moment. 300 students from predominantly black schools will participate in a baseball clinic with the Dodgers’ Training Academy, stretching and breathing exercises along with food and nutrition lessons will be provided, and a Q&A with Kirsten and Trayce will culminate the day. The event will take place at the Dodgers’ Dream Field located at Darby Park in Inglewood.  

On Thursday morning, two educational events will take place simultaneously. In Sylmar, 300 LAUSD elementary school students from the Northeast Valley area will join Chris Taylor, Bank of America executives and staff, and Dodger staff at the Discovery Cube to learn about environmental science, health and nutrition, sustainability, and more. Across town in Manhattan Beach, Dodger manager Dave Roberts and alum Eric Karros will join California Pizza Kitchen’s Chef Paul to lead a cooking class with 35 adult participants from the Best Buddies program. These adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will gain additional culinary skills and tips. For those preparing to transition to independent living, and those already living independently, this cooking class will be a memorable, empowering, and educational experience for all participants.  

Closing out the day on Thursday, Dodger pitchers, Tony Gonsolin, Alex Vesia, and Evan Phillips will visit the new WSS facility on La Tijera and will join Bank of America to shop for shoes with 100 local students. Students will be sized by players and will take home a new pair of Nike shoes. In addition, 100 pairs of shoes will be donated to CASA of Los Angeles, a local foster youth organization operating in Monterey Park. 

Rounding out the week are two events that will get everyone pumped up and ready for the season. Dodger players and legends will start the morning by surprising 1700 students at Whittier High School for a Hispanic heritage themed pep rally to get students and faculty excited about the upcoming Dodger season. The rally will include games and competitions between students and players, live music, dance acts, and more. Dodger staff, Bank of America executives and staff will be onsite along with the players for this annual festive event. The Cruz Show from Real 92.3 will serve as the event emcee. 

Capping off the week’s activities, Dodger players Miguel Rojas, Phil Bickford, and Ryan Pepiot, will surprise unknowing customers at a Jack in the Box as they take orders, cook up fries, and serve customers at the counter and drive thru.   

The full schedule is below. Media interested in attending an event should email [email protected].  

Monday, January 30 

Event #1 

9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.                    

Employee Day of Service (Event will move to 2/6/23 in the event of rain) 

Front office staff, LADF staff, former players and Bank of America staff will be at the LA Conservation Corps to plant trees and work on a beautification project. In conjunction with Magical Builders and Ruckus Roots, the space will be renovated by the over 250 volunteers in attendance.  

Location:       

Los Angeles Conservation Corps 
941 W. Cressey Street 
Compton, CA 90222 

Event #2 

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.                            

Worthy of Love/Jackie Robinson’s 105^th Birthday Bash 
500 homeless youth and their families are invited to celebrate a birthday bash at Dodger Stadium in partnership with Worthy of Love. Dodger alumni Dennis Powell and Derrel Thomas will also honor and celebrate the upcoming 105^th  birthday of Jackie Robinson and his commitment to community service. 

Location:         

Dodger Stadium/Centerfield Plaza  

1000 Vin Scully Avenue 

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tuesday, January 31???? 

Event #1 

9:30am – 11:30am                    

Freddie Freeman at Food Distribution Event 
Freddie Freeman along with the Dodgers and Bank of America staff will host a food distribution event at the Long Beach Salvation Army to raise awareness about food insecurity. There will be 150 kits which include four days’ worth of meals for four people - in total 600 people will receive 7200 meals. Additionally, Papa Cantella’s will be providing Dodger Dogs for the event. 

Location:         

Long Beach Salvation Army 

3092 Long Beach Blvd. 

Long Beach, CA 90807 

Event #2 

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.                          

Surprise & Delight – Dunkin’ – UCLA Healthcare Workers  

A traditional Surprise and Delight where Dodger and Bank of America volunteers will pass out food provided by Dunkin’ to healthcare workers and thank them for their dedication and commitment. 

Location:        

 Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center 

757 Westwood Plaza 

Los Angeles, CA 90024 

Wednesday, February 1 

9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.                     

Baseball Clinic with Trayce Thompson 

As a kickoff to Black History month, this event with LAUSD and the Dodgers’ Training Academy will raise awareness around health and physical fitness in the Black community, specifically targeting black middle school students. Events will include baseball training and conditioning with the Dodgers’ Training Academy, a Q&A with Dodger outfielder Trayce Thompson and SNLA broadcaster Kirsten Watson, and discussions about health and nutrition. Additionally, Melissa’s will be donating produce to the event.  

Location:        

 Dodger Dream Field 

Darby Park 

3400 W. Arbor Vitae St.  

Inglewood, CA 90305 

Thursday, February 2 

Event #1 

9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.            

 Discovery Cube Field Trip 

300 LAUSD students from the Northeast valley will be joined by Dodger player Chris Taylor to participate in a field trip to Discovery Cube Los Angeles. Students will engage with different museum exhibits and learn about health and nutrition, meteorology, sustainability, and more. 

Location:        

 Discovery Cube Los Angeles 

11800 Foothill Blvd. 

Sylmar, CA 91342 

Event #2 

9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.                   

California Pizza Kitchen Cooking Class 

Dodger Manager Dave Roberts and Dodger alum Eric Karros will join adults with IDD from Best Buddies at the California Pizza Kitchen in Manhattan Beach for a cooking class with Chef Paul to provide skills and tips to support transitions to independent living. 

Location:        

California Pizza Kitchen 

3320 N. Sepulveda Blvd. 

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 

Event #3 

3 p.m. – 5 p.m.                           

WSS Surprise & Delight 

Dodger pitchers Tony Gonsolin, Evan Phillips, and Alex Vesia will welcome children to shop for shoes with WSS. 100 additional shoes will be donated to a local nonprofit that supports foster youth. Additionally, Papa Cantella’s will be providing Dodger Dogs for this event.  

Location: 

WSS La Tijera 

6901 La Tijera Blvd.  

Los Angeles, CA 90045 

Friday, February 3 

Event #1 

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.                      

Pep Rally at Whittier High School 

The Dodgers will host a pep rally at Whittier High School to commemorate the start of the second semester. Multiple Dodger players will participate in games and activities alongside students.  

Location:  Whittier High School 

12417 Philadelphia Street 

Whittier, CA 90601 

Event #2 

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.                         

Surprise & Delight – Jack in the Box 

Phil Bickford, Miguel Rojas, and Ryan Pepiot will surprise unsuspecting customers at a Jack in the Box location. 

Location:  To be revealed closer to the date.