The 8-Time MLB All-Star & Wife Ellen Joined by Bryan Cranston as Emcee, and Honoring Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley for their Philanthropic Advocacy
Get ready for an action-packed night of ping pong and entertainment for an inspiring purpose, when Los Angeles Dodgers’ star pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen, take the stage for their Kershaw’s Challenge 7th Annual PingPong4Purpose at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, August 8th.
Continuing to honor the spirit of service at their signature fundraiser and celebrity ping pong competition, Clayton and Ellen Kershaw will welcome back multiple EMMY® and Tony Award-winner Bryan Cranston as the emcee for PingPong4Purpose, and are honoring multiple GRAMMY®, ACM and CMA Award-winner Brad Paisley and actress, producer, and best-selling author Kimberly Williams-Paisley on stage with the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award. Honoring the couple for their history of philanthropic advocacy, the Paisleys have recently co-founded The Store, their non-profit free grocery store, to serve children and families in need in their Nashville community and address issues of hunger and food security.
Tirelessly dedicated to serving the needs of vulnerable and at-risk children and neighborhoods in the U.S. and abroad since 2011, Kershaw’s Challenge has worked with 14 beneficiary organizations to build schools, playgrounds, and homes for children, funded life-saving surgeries, served children through after-school programs and baseball camps, helped families in foster care and transitional housing programs, and more. Tickets and VIP packages are available now for PingPong4Purpose.
PingPong4Purpose features intense ping pong face-offs with stars from sports, film/television/music entertainment, additional competitors, family, friends, sponsors and supporters, poker, a silent auction, games and other festivities, and the Kershaw’s Challenge Giving Board, where guests are encouraged to give at the event. For the giving board, this year each donation will go toward funding a mission to rescue children from sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic. $6300 funds a single mission through Kershaw’s Challenge beneficiary International Justice Mission. This year’s PingPong4Purpose will support Kershaw’s Challenge beneficiaries empowering children and communities in Los Angeles, the Dominican Republic, and Africa. Collectively, the beneficiaries are the Dream Center, Just Keep Livin Foundation, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, International Justice Mission, Both Ends Believing, and Arise Africa, whose endeavors will fuel new parks and classrooms, after-school programs, and programs helping sex trafficking victims and orphaned children.
Delivering a priceless experience, Clayton and Ellen Kershaw have welcomed a host of sports, entertainment stars and honorees at PingPong4Purpose during the past six years, including Matthew McConaughey, Magic Johnson, Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Kimmel, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Susan Sarandon, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux, Matthew Perry, Sarah Hyland, Jordan Fisher, Doc Rivers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Gabby Douglas, Diplo, Dodgers Dave Roberts, Rick Honeycutt, Austin Barnes, Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger, Enrique Hernández, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner, Kenley Jansen, Kenta Maeda, Ross Stripling, and Dodgers legends Orel Hershiser and Eric Karros.
“The ping pong event has become a highlight for us every year,” stated Ellen and Clayton Kershaw. “It’s awesome to have so many teammates and friends from the LA community come out to support a cause that is so important to us. Kershaw’s Challenge is able to give away funds to our beneficiaries because we have such a wide base of support. PingPong4Purpose serves a great purpose…and it is also a lot of fun! August 8th is shaping up to be our best event yet! A great night for a great cause—come join us!”
Presenting Sponsors for the event are UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, Hankook Tire, HiHo Cheeseburger, SPIN, STIGA, and FIJI Water.
Major Sponsors include American Airlines, TOMS, Hope Faith and Grace Fund, Goldman Sachs and Security Benefit.
Official Prize Sponsor is Princess Cruises.
Other key sponsors include Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Designer 8, Phat Scooter, The Hidden Garden Floral Design Studio, Lou’s Golf Carts, Premiere Lighting & Production, MS Event Production.
About Kershaw’s Challenge
Clayton and Ellen Kershaw founded Kershaw’s Challenge with one goal: To challenge and encourage people to use whatever passion, purpose or talent that they have been given to make an impact on the lives of others in need. The charity partners with organizations both locally and abroad to renew hope one life at a time. In addition to fostering strong connections in the Los Angeles and Dallas communities, the Kershaws work closely with organizations in Zambia and the Dominican Republic who are on the front lines of making life better for children.
In 2012, Clayton was recognized with MLB’s highest humanitarian honor, the Roberto Clemente Award, in recognition of the work he’s done for communities in Zambia, Los Angeles and Dallas. That quality of character and dedication to giving back to others also led to him being honored with the Branch Rickey Award in 2013. As his career progresses, Clayton is even more cognizant of his unique platform to give back to others and make an impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Clayton and Ellen are excited to build upon such recognition and further expand their charitable reach.
For more information, visit www.kershawschallenge.com
