With his wife Ellen and through their charity, Kershaw’s Challenge, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw hosted the fifth annual Back to School Bash at the Dream Center.
This year’s event included the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation as a partner, and was again attended by Justin Turner and his wife Kourtney. “It’s growing every year,” Kershaw said.
“This is our fifth annual and this year is even more special, because we have the Dodgers Foundation on board as our signature partner. It’s just so cool to get to bring them in, and Justin Turner as well. He’s done great work with his foundation.”
Kershaw’s Challenge distributed 2,500 backpacks, filled with school supplies, to school-aged children from the greater Los Angeles area. Among those to receive a backpack were 200 children from the Dodgers RBI program.
Kids beamed once they realized not only were they receiving items that would help them prepare for the first day of school, but that Kershaw and Turner were there to distribute the backpacks themselves.
The @KershsChallenge Back To School Bash opened with @ClaytonKersh22, @ellenkershaw, @redturn2 and @court_with_a_K on the frontline to bring smiles to kids faces. pic.twitter.com/98IPCHve1C
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) August 4, 2018
“It’s really fun to be a part of. When I was going to school and growing up, I think some of the things we take for granted are having school supplies and a backpack on the first day of school,” Kershaw said.
“Now these kids will get to have that. My daughter will be here as well. I think it’s important for her to know you can’t take that stuff for granted.”
Along with providing school necessities, the day included music provided by iHeartRadio, free food and haircuts, a waterslide, carnival games, petting zoos and a ferris wheel. Parents were also afforded the opportunity to take home a bag of groceries and pick out new clothes for their children.
“It’s an unbelievable event. I remember back when I was a kid going to school, and getting a new backpack or getting new school supplies, it made you feel that much better going that first day. You were that much more motivated,” Turner said.
“When you see some of the families come in, you see how important it is for them to get these backpacks and supplies. Otherwise, they might not have the financial means to supply for their own kids. It’s a pretty special day.
“We love Kershaw’s Challenge and everything they do, we love The Dream Center. We wouldn’t miss this for anything.”
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