For those unable to attend Dodgers FanFest 2019 this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dodger Stadium, ThinkBlue LA will be posting photos and videos from the event on the ThinkBlue LA Facebook and Instagram pages.

From crowd views to interviews, ThinkBlue LA wants to share the experience with you.

Each year, FanFest gets bigger and better, with more players and celebrities on hand, more activities (especially for kids), and more opportunities to help the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) raise money for a wide variety of community events for children throughout the greater Los Angeles area..

For those unfamiliar with the LADF, here is their mission statement from their website:

Established in 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) is the official team charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Harnessing the power of the Dodger brand and a passionate fan base, LADF works to significantly impact underserved youth in some of the most challenged neighborhoods of Los Angeles. LADF leverages key partnerships to administer direct programs serving youth and communities at large and provides grants to local nonprofit organizations. LADF uses three pillars to guide its work: Sports + Recreation, Education + Literacy and Health + Wellness.

In addition to pre-purchased autograph vouchers for Dodgers FanFest 2019 (which sold out within minutes of going live on-line), the LADF will also offer fans mystery grab bags and yard sale items up for grabs.

Although the annual Dodgers FanFest is the biggest and most popular event put on by the LA Dodgers Foundation each off-season, it is not their only fundraising event – not by a long shot. They also have raffles, auctions, and many other fundraising events throughout the entire year.

At each home game, the LADF hosts a 50/50 raffle, with half of the proceeds going to the foundation and the other half to the lucky fan who purchased the winning ticket.

Over the course of last season’s 92 home games (including two pre-season games against the Angles, Game-163, and nine postseason games), the 50/50 raffle raised an incredible $3,794,805. From this, $1,897,402.50 went to the foundation and $1,897,402.50 to winning fans.

In addition to the 50/50 raffle, the foundation also held silent auctions throughout the season during Saturday and Sunday home games and other special event games such as Opening Day, bobblehead giveaway games, and during the final regular season home stand. Auction items included autographed jerseys, baseballs, and photos of Dodger players past and present.

Authenticated game-used memorabilia can also be purchased anytime on the Dodgers auction site, again, with all proceeds benefiting the LA Dodgers Foundation. These auction items vary in price depending on significance, the players, and if the item is autographed or not. For current items, prices range from $100 to $2,000.

For those willing to spend the money for the foundation’s higher end events, there’s the opportunity to attend the Dodgers annual All-Access event, with tickets priced at $550, or their premiere annual event, the Blue Diamond Gala, with sponsorships starting at $1,000.

These prices may seem steep, but for those generous enough to donate, it all goes back to the foundation while giving fans a rare opportunity to enjoy an evening with their favorite players and celebrities … not to mention some great food.

Understandably, these events may not be economically feasible for many Dodger fans, which makes the Dodgers Foundation’s Blue Circle a good alternative to still support the foundation without breaking the bank.

Becoming a member with a $100+ donation offers exclusive benefits and discounts which “will allow us to provide access to baseball and softball for those who otherwise would have none, create access to educational and health resources to children and their families, build and refurbish 25 more fields and do our part to tackle the literacy crisis in Los Angeles.”

For those looking for something even more affordable and a way to impress your Dodger fan friends, there’s the option to have your own message on the Dodger Stadium video and ribbon boards for $75. Fans can also participate in the foundation’s annual 5K / 10K Kids Fun Run on the beautiful grounds of Blue Heaven on Earth, as Hall of Fame Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda would say. The race fees vary depending on how early or late one signs up, but overall, it’s a good deal and a fun time.

Each Fun Run participants receives a shirt, a medal, a bobblehead, and a discount at the Dodger Stadium team store. Runners also get to run on the field, which is usually frowned upon, and parking is free for the event.

Yours truly participated in the 5K run in 2014 and thoroughly enjoyed it. We ran through the parking lots, going up and around the stadium, received our medals, and had Dodger Dogs … for breakfast!

Lastly, for those with children who want them to learn from the pros, the LA Dodgers Foundation offers winter and summer youth camps which not only include learning from top prospects, but also gets them a shirt and a gift bag, and also includes a tour of Dodger Stadium, and more.

But first things first.

If you can’t make it out to FanFest this Saturday, be sure to check in on our Facebook and Instagram pages throughout the day to quench your off-season Dodgers thirst before Spring Training officially begins on Saturday, February 28 at Camelback Ranch.

And if you’d like to help keep youth baseball and softball alive and well in Los Angeles, give the above LA Dodgers Foundation activities and events some consideration, or simply go to their website and hit the donate button.

Go Dodgers!

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