As Los Angeles Dodgers free agent Clayton Kershaw takes time in deciding what the future will hold, off-the-field efforts have continued through Kershaw’s Challenge, which was founded with his wife Ellen.
Along with the Ping Pong 4 Purpose event at Dodger Stadium, the couple annually hosts KC Live at Rustic in Dallas, Texas. Both were put on hold last year due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and KC Live was the first to return.
The Kershaws were joined by Austin Barnes and his wife, Joc Pederson and his wife, among several others. Noted Dodgers fan Brad Paisley was tabbed as the special musical act.
At one point during his set, Paisley was joined on stage by Kershaw. He later was accompanied by Pederson for a donation of his patented pearl necklace for fundraising.
Clayton Kershaw got on stage last night to perform with Brad Paisley. (via @KershsChallenge) pic.twitter.com/Aa8Qu2fy1p
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) November 12, 2021
And Joc Pederson’s pearls were an auction item. pic.twitter.com/gbKgr6VVzE
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) November 12, 2021
Kershaw’s Challenge selected Behind Every Door and Shoes That Fit as beneficiaries in Dallas, and The Dream Center and Shoes That Fit in L.A. Charitable efforts also were focused on supporting Arise Africa, and International Justice Mission and BEB in the Dominican Republic.
Kershaw enjoyed return to in-person event
After needing to adjust their strategy last year because of the pandemic, Kershaw’s Challenge hosted the eighth annual Back To School Bash at The Dream Center this past August.
“The hardest part was kids not being able to go to school. I think that’s one of the harder things, to go along with everybody not being able to go to work and things like that, it’s been a hard time for everybody,” Kershaw said during the event.
“So if we can get some sense of normalcy back, get kids in school and be able to hand out backpacks and get them excited about it, it’s going to be a fun day.”
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