Dodgers Pitcher Clayton Kershaw Hosts Star-Studded Charity Event

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw hosted a star-studded evening in the name of charity and yes, as expected it did involve balls and sport—but not the kind you might think.

Kershaw, alongside funnyman Will Ferrell, co-hosted the Fourth Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose celebrity ping pong tournament tonight at Dodger Stadium.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

Ferrell welcomed the more than 500 guests to an evening of “food, fellowship and ping pong” and highlighted the night’s two Kershaw’s Challenge beneficiaries, The Dream Center of Los Angeles and CURE International in the Dominican Republic.

He offered a special thanks to sponsor Stiga for donating 12 of the ping pong tables used and valued at over $36,000 to local community centers and schools thanks to the Dodgers Community Outreach programs. These include: Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Sotomayor Learning Academies, Salvation Army Red Shield Youth and Community Center and five elementary schools.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

Dennis Gilbert, the founder of The Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, former super-agent, sole benefactor of the Dennis Gilbert baseball field in South Central, LA and a nationally recognized life insurance agent, was then honored with the inaugural Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award.

After he said a few words, SPiN Creative Director and the evening’s MC Matheiu Forget was on hand to explain the rules of play to the 60 celebrity, sports and VIP players which featured a single elimination tournament.  Taking home top honors were Mike Singer and Steve Kunimoto.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo

The jam-packed night, which was attended by the likes of DJ Diplo and Robert Shapiro, also featured food, drink, live music by Half the Animal (Chase Johnson, Nick Gross, Evan Smith, Alex Asch), a DJ and giveaways.

The event raised over $500,000 for Kershaw’s Challenge, launched by Clayton and his wife Ellen in 2011 to challenge and encourage people to utilize their individual passions and talents for the betterment of others.  They currently partner with a host of local, national and international philanthropic organizations. Actress, ping pong social club SPiN Co-Founder Susan Sarandon is Honorary Chair. Ann Higginbottom is Executive Director.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo