Back to School Bash with The Dream Center and LADF

Our team spent an incredible week in LA at the beginning of August! Before the flurry of PP4P, we were able to spend time with our friends at the Dream Center in a pretty remarkable way. As part of Kershaw’s Challenge 2019, it is our joy to support the Dream Center’s Back to School Bash. Together with our friends at the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, we sponsored the day’s event and it was AMAZING!!

But let’s start at the beginning of the day on Saturday, August 3rd. Before we kicked off the Back to School Bash, our team participated in the grand ribbon-cutting of the Kershaw’s Challenge Playground. Nestled in the shadows of the Dream Center, the playground is spectacular! The funding of the playground came from KC 2018 and we were thrilled to bring the dream of “play” to fruition. Many families call the Dream Center “home” and yet there was something lacking—a place for children to PLAY outside. The playground offers a safe haven for awesome outdoor play. There are slides, climbing walls and even a sports court. Truly a kid’s dream come true! Thanks to our incredible donors of 2018! It was our privilege to stand in on your behalf, cut the ribbon and welcome kids to the playground. It was such a joy to see children running, playing and enjoying being outside. What a beautiful picture of the work of KC!! Since we began, KC has been about changing lives. It’s not about the funds raised (though that is what makes it happen!)…but it’s about LIVES CHANGING. We were so proud to see this beautiful, completed project!

What an incredible start to our day! After the playground opening, we made our way to the main parking lot of the Dream Center—fully staged for the Back to School Bash! A line of families and children was wrapped around the entire block…everyone lined up to receive their very own Kershaw’s Challenge back pack!! 2500 backpacks were stuffed with fresh school supplies and handed out to kids. Clayton was joined by two of his teammates, Justin Turner and Chris Taylor, who joined in the welcome line and back pack distribution. Once the kids were inside the parking lot, they enjoyed a fun carnival-like experience—bounce houses, a petting zoo, a ferris wheel and snow cones!! It was such a fun celebration of the beginning of school. We were so thrilled to play such a significant role!

Friends, know that your dollar goes a LONG WAY!! As evidenced by a new playground and another successful Back to School Bash, your support is significant! These two events were the perfect pre-cursor to PP4P and we could not be more grateful for our friendship with the Dream Center!