The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation held their third annual and largest Blue Diamond Gala on Thursday night at Dodger Stadium. The blue-carpet charity event featured musical acts Maroon 5 and Earth, Wind & Fire.
“It’s a night where we’re celebrating the work that we’re doing,” Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation executive director Nicole Whiteman said. “We’re giving Los Angeles a chance to come together at this party to help us continue to have a significant impact on children in underserved communities.
“We’re expecting nearly 1,500 people, which is about 500 more people than we had last year. It’s still a very intimate number for a concert of this kind at Dodger Stadium. We’re very excited about the money we’re going to be able to raise for our cause.”
While it was a rare off day at home for the team, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and several players were on hand to support the organization’s charity. And each was happy to do so.
“They do incredible things throughout the community,” Adrian Gonzalez said. “I’m always looking for a way to support and help out. They’ve won awards for all that they do, and it’s great for us to come out and support them.”
Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, provide for underprivileged youth through their foundation, and so too does Justin Turner. “I don’t think people realize the Dodgers Foundation does in the community,” he said.
“Building the Dreamfields, going to classrooms, talking to kids and reading books, supplying reading glasses, bringing kids out for camps during the summer. The list goes on and on and on. They do such a great job, so everyone is asking, ‘How does it feel giving up an off day to come here and support them?’ For us, it’s a no-brainer. It’s going to such a great cause, it’s going to help out a lot of people in the community, and we wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
In addition to attending the Blue Diamond Gala for its charitable impact, Dodgers players were afforded the opportunity to trade in a baseball uniform for formal attire. “This is a great cause to get dressed up for,” Sergio Romo said. “I figured we’d try to look solid and have a good time tonight.”
Dodgers reliever Josh Fields was the most unique, as he wore a camouflage-inspired suit jacket and pants that was designed years ago.
The LADF raised over $1.5 million from ticket sales and donations, and garnered more than $100,000 in the live auction.
All proceeds raised from the Blue Diamond Gala are used to benefit the Dodgers RBI and Dodgers Dreamfields programs, as well as allow for the LADF to continue providing economic aid to local community organizations.”
