The Dodgers and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) are holding a kickoff event on Saturday, April 1, 2017 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Los Angeles Central Library to launch their literacy initiative LA Reads with a brief program, featuring Rich Hill, Maggie and Andre Ethier and Heather and Yasmani Grandal reading to 80 3^rd and 4^th grade students.

A public event will follow in the Library’s second floor rotunda where families will receive free Penguin Random House books for their children, take photos with Dodger Alumni Billy Ashley, Dennis Powell and Al Ferrara and the Dodger character, and participate in arts and crafts activities.

WHO:           

• Dodger pitcher Rich Hill
• Dodger outfielder Andre Ethier, and his wife Maggie
• Dodger catcher Yasmani Grandal, and his wife Heather
• Dodger broadcaster Jorge Jarrín
• Dodger Alumni Billy Ashley, Dennis Powell and Al Ferrara
• Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
• Representatives from Program Partner, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®
• Representatives Book Partner, Penguin Random House

WHEN:      Saturday April 1, 2017

• 11:00 a.m.   Program/Reading begins in Library’s children’s reading room
• 12:00 p.m.  Public event begins in Library’s second floor rotunda

WHERE:    Los Angeles Central Library – Children’s reading room

630 W. 5^th Street

Los Angeles, 90071

(Parking is available for purchase at a public lot with an entrance off Flower Street)

MISC:          LA Reads is a joint initiative between the Dodgers and LADF to help address the literacy crisis in Los Angeles by getting children excited about reading. Throughout this season Dodger players, coaches, wives, executives and alumni will be reading to children at local libraries, schools and non-profit program sites.  The Dodgers “Reading Champions” challenge, will take place from April to August, further motivating 1st-8th graders to read.  Students who read more than 30 minutes per day will be rewarded with incentives to include monthly opportunities to be on field at Dodger Stadium. Students and families can learn more about the program at Dodgers.com/LAReads.

 (Article courtesy of Dodgers PR Department)