(East Los Angeles, CA)[From The Editor’s Desk]: Another year has come and so has the time to celebrate and publicize the extremely popular community event, known as the Los Angeles Dodgers DreamTeam “PlayerFest.” On Saturday, July 27th, the gates at Dodger Stadium will swing wide open and welcome 13,000 Dodgers DreamTeam youth players, coaches, and family members to spend half a day inside of Dodger Stadium and take in all of the sights and activities that have been planned by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s organizing committee.
This event is not to be confused with the Dodgers FanFest which is FREE and open to the public. Once more, this Saturday’s event is designated for the 13,000 youth participants already registered with the Dodgers DreamTeam program. Do read more about the event in the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s press announcement that follows below.
And, please take a very good look at the photo gallery from last year’s event that we have included in this story. It will certainly give you a good idea at how the upcoming event may appear to all participants. For more information about Dodgers Dreamteam, and how to register, please visit Dodgers.com/DodgersDreamteam.
DODGERS DREAMTEAM PLAYERFEST PRESENTED BY BANK OF AMERICA RETURNS TO DODGER STADIUM ON JULY 27
The annual event will provide Dodger fanfare and access to vital resources and programming for 13,000 youth participants and their families
LOS ANGELES (July 18, 2024) – The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) will host its annual Dodgers Dreamteam PlayerFest, presented by Bank of America, on Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. PlayerFest is a highly anticipated experience for all Dodgers Dreamteam participants, their families, and coaches. Attendees will have unique access to the iconic ballpark from nearby lots and Centerfield Plaza to the warning track and dugouts. Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to receive health screenings, educational resources, meet Dodger Alumni, take pictures with the 2020 World Series trophy, tour the stadium, receive giveaway items from various sponsors and partners, and participate in an abundance of engaging hands-on activities.
[Photo Gallery Courtesy]: Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation
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This year’s event comes as Dodgers Dreamteam, an affiliate of Nike RBI, will serve more Los Angeles youth thanks to expanded partnerships aligned with LADF’s strategic plan, which includes a heightened focus on growing its capacity among other key pillars to create a ‘Lasting Impact for Los Angeles.’ By the end of the 11th season of Dodgers Dreamteam, the program will have served 13,000 youth across 99 locations, an increase of 18% over 2023.
“Dodgers Dreamteam grows in popularity year after year,” said Nichol Whiteman, CEO of Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation. “Through exceptional programming beyond baseball and softball, we provide resources for those who need it most. PlayerFest celebrates families from across Los Angeles as we open Dodger Stadium to them for an unforgettable day.”
The 13,000 Dodgers Dreamteam participants and their families residing in the Greater Los Angeles area, including communities such as Compton, Hawthorne, Huntington Park, Watts, Inglewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, East LA, South LA, and the San Gabriel Valley including Rosemead and Monterey Park, are encouraged to be part of the excitement. PlayerFest unites program sponsors and partners to help foster a special experience for youth as it celebrates breaking barriers and creating equitable opportunities for LA’s most marginalized populations. The event offers vital resources and assistance to families participating in the Dodgers Dreamteam program, where 59% of families have an income below $40,000.
Bank of America is returning as the presenting sponsor of PlayerFest and Dodgers Dreamteam Community Ambassador Sponsor. Additional Dodgers Dreamteam sponsors include ARCO, Beyond Sport, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, California Masonic Foundation, Coca-Cola, Dwight Stuart Youth Foundation, LA84 Foundation, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, SoCalGas, Nike, and UCLA Health.
“It’s always exciting when Dodger Stadium becomes a playground for thousands of youth to have fun, learn, and receive vital access to resources every Angeleno deserves,” said Maria Arias, senior vice president, Community Relations at Bank of America. “We’re proud to once again rally behind the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation with our more than 250 local Bank of America employees who volunteer to make this year’s PlayerFest the best yet.”
Free resources at PlayerFest include food items provided by LA Regional Food Bank, Dodger Dogs from Papa Cantella’s and water from Dasani, UCLA Health screenings, eye exams from Vision to Learn, and more. Activities include baseball and softball instruction via the Dodgers Training Academy, coach recruitment opportunities from the Positive Coaching Alliance, a popup of LADF’s Science of Baseball curriculum, and other activations from LADWP, LA County Public Works, LA Public Library, Los Angeles Football Club, LA Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, PlayLA, SoCal Gas, Up2Us Sports, and USC College Advising Corps will also be available for participants.
Dodgers Dreamteam is a comprehensive sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services to communities experiencing social injustices. LADF works with 16 affiliate partners to deliver sports-based programming and wrap-around services for 13,000 youth and support communities and families across the city. As interest in Dodgers Dreamteam continues to grow, LADF aims to serve 25,000 youth annually by 2030. The program aims to provide an inclusive, barrier-free youth development program for underserved communities that otherwise may not participate and train parents and coaches to create a social and emotional learning environment. All participants receive free uniforms and access to baseball and softball equipment.
[About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation]:
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) tackles the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness, and social justice for all Angelenos. Reimagined in 2013, LADF has since raised over $154 million, including a $50 million pledge in 2024 by its Chairman Mark Walter and Dodgers Ownership, marking the largest contribution ever from an MLB ownership group to the organization’s charitable partner. Under its new strategic plan, “Lasting Impact for Los Angeles,” LADF is amplifying best practices, scaling solutions, growing its capacity and refining its work with investments exceeding $60 million in its programs and grants to local organizations. To date, LADF has positively impacted over 10 million youth. LADF is the proud recipient of ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Robert Wood Johnson Sports Award, Beyond Sport’s Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Award, and the Aspen Institute Project Play Champion. To learn more, visit Dodgers.com/LADF and join the conversation on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
