The Dodgers Foundation has worked with Vision To Learn since 2012; and each year since, the Dodgers have generously hosted local schoolchildren served by VTL. This year 35 lucky students—six from Ronald E. McNair Elementary in Compton, and 29 from 75th Street Elementary in Los Angeles—were treated to an on-field celebration when the Dodgers hosted them for their game against the Chicago Cubs on June 28th.
Marching into the outfield and gathering out on the warning track, the children waved and were met with cheers as the announcer beckoned the crowd to give a warm Dodgers welcome to the students. Some couldn’t stop smiling. Some were absolutely enthralled by their appearing on the Jumbotron. When asked about the experience afterwards, some noted the food at the game was their favorite part of the day. Others loved watching the game itself. A number of them described the whole afternoon as “amazing!”
For many of these students, it was their first visit to Dodgers stadium. For all, it was the first time they were hosted as guests of the Dodgers and celebrated by fans in the stands.
Thanks to the generosity of the Dodgers Foundation and the strength of this community partnership, the event was a home run.