Kershaw’s Challenge holds 7th annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose tournament

By Rowan Kavner

The idea began with Clayton Kershaw believing almost anyone can play and enjoy Ping-Pong to some level. With Dodger Stadium as a backdrop and teammates coming out in droves, his foundation’s annual charity tournament has developed into one of the most well-attended and highly anticipated community events of the year.

Kershaw’s Challenge held its seventh annual Ping Pong 4 Purpose event on Thursday’s off day, bringing athletes and celebrities together to raise money for children and families in need both locally and internationally.

“It’s overwhelming just to see everybody that comes out,” Kershaw said. “To get such a great turnout from teammates and to get to have them all here and playing and enjoying themselves and a part of it, it really is a special thing. It makes this night go.”

In addition to a Ping-Pong tournament, those in attendance took part in a silent auction on the field and helped fund rescue missions to get children out of sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic. Actor Bryan Cranston, who emceed the event for a second straight year, explained that $6,300 could fund a rescue. He was the first of the night to pledge to donate $6,300.

“Every single dollar raised tonight gets to go to these children,” Ellen Kershaw explained. “Lives are being changed. This is for real. This is working.”

Proceeds from the event supported Kershaw’s Challenge’s local and international beneficiaries, including the Dream Center, Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, Arise Africa, Just Keep Livin’ Foundation, Both Ends Believing and International Justice Mission.

Much like LADF’s Blue Diamond Gala earlier in the year, Justin Turner said Kershaw’s event is one every player looks forward to each season.

“We don’t get very many off days throughout this long season, and the fact that you’ll probably see every single one of our teammates walking through here to support Clayton and Ellen and what they do just goes to show they type of people they are,” Turner said.

The night began with the Kershaws addressing the crowd and honoring award-winning country artist Brad Paisley and actress and best-selling author Kimberly Williams-Paisley with the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award for the couple’s charitable work before the night of Ping-Pong began.

Clayton Kershaw teamed with Cody Bellinger, and the duo ended up winning the event.

“He does a great job. This event’s awesome,” Bellinger said. “It’s great to come out and play Ping-Pong and have a good time with your teammates.”