The competition is heating up on the field, but it’s a new game afoot as celebrities face off in a ping pong battle to capture victory at Clayton and Ellen Kershaw’s 5th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose.
Held by Kershaw’s Challenge, the non-profit organization led by Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen, the 5th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose will take place on the evening of Thursday, July 27th at Dodger Stadium, with the Kershaws inviting you to join in the fun, through the Kershaw’s Challenge YouCaring.com campaign and a special Kershaw’s Challenge Strikeout to Serve Auction.
Jimmy Kimmel will be Master of Ceremonies for the tournament, and the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award will honor the Magic Johnson Foundation for its longstanding charitable work, with Magic Johnson accepting the award on the Foundation’s behalf. On this glorious summer evening, the biggest victories will not just be on the field, but off the field long after the game is over, making a continuing impact to benefit children in need across the world.
A host of stars will take over the historic outfield of Dodger Stadium for a fierce matchup of ping pong skills, with entertainers and athletes including Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, and Kike Hernandez, Jason Bateman, Jack Black, Derek Hough, Haley Joel Osment, Jaleel White, Danny Trejo, Justin Hartley, Beth Behrs, Rodney Peete and Holly Robinson-Peete, LA Kings’ Tyler Toffoli, Derek Forbort, Alec Martinez, and Jack Campbell, Edmonton Oilers’ Milan Lucic, Dodgers’ Jerry Hairston Jr., sportscaster Chris Rose, Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi (“The Bachelor”), Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, Jana Kramer, Becca Tilley (“The Bachelor”), Eric Christian Olsen, Isaiah Mustafa, Matt Iseman (“American Ninja Warrior”), singer Brett Young, Marnie the Dog and more expected to play/attend. The night will also feature a silent auction and delicious bites from food trucks, desserts and other treats.
Raising support for children at home and globally, the Kershaws invite everyone from baseball fans to ping pong lovers and more, to join in through the Kershaw’s Challenge YouCaring.com campaign or take home special mementos through the Kershaw’s Challenge Strikeout to Serve Auction on MLB.com Auctions. Support the Kershaw’s Challenge YouCaring.com campaign through July 24th for a chance to win the grand prize experience – playing in the 5th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose grand tournament.
The Kershaw’s Challenge Strikeout to Serve Auction on MLB.com Auctions is also offering a gold-standard lineup of superstar memorabilia until July 25th, featuring 28 cherished items including autographed jerseys, balls and other game items from Clayton Kershaw, Sandy Koufax autographed items, Vin Scully autographed items, a one-of-a-kind Mike Trout game-used autographed and inscribed bat, game-worn jerseys from Cody Bellinger, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, Dave Roberts, a Durham Bulls jersey and “Bull Durham” movie poster autographed by Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon, a “Rocky” movie poster autographed by Sylvester Stallone, and more.
Kershaw’s Challenge also gave away backpacks with the Dream Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 22nd. From Los Angeles and Dallas to the Dominican Republic and Zambia, Africa, Kershaw’s Challenge has dedicated support to transform the lives of children, serving with partner organizations including the Los Angeles-based Dream Center, CURE International in the Dominican Republic, Arise Africa-Zambia, and the Dallas-based Behind Every Door. With programs serving essential tools to empower children’s health and growth, the 5th Annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose beneficiaries include the Dream Center’s Foster Care Intervention program, which provides food, clothing, or other supplies for foster children returning home, and CURE International’s medical surgeries in the Dominican Republic for children with clubfoot, cleft lip or other conditions.
Presenting sponsors for the event include American Airlines, Levi’s, UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Killerspin. Additional sponsors and support include TOMS, Papa John’s Pizza, Goldman Sachs, Art of the Game, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Security Benefit, Diageo, Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management, iHeartMedia, Under Armour, Budweiser, Classic Party Rentals, The Vanity Project, Hidden Garden Flower Design, Sugarfina, Lounge Appeal, SJM Radio, Westin Bonaventure, MS Event Production, Sprinkles, Diaper Dude, Unity Jets, Spectrum, TopSpin, Blue Prints, and 505 Food Truck LA, Crispy Cuban, Fettes Schwein, Go Fusion Grill, Rice Balls of Fire, Pink Taco.
For more information about Kershaw’s Challenge and its partner organizations, click here.
