Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Don Mattingly and Steve Dilbeck to appear at Dodgers Community Caravan
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
You can spend Valentine’s Day with Andre Ethier.
Or, if you prefer, The Times’ dashingly handsome Dodgers blogger, Steve Dilbeck.
Here’s the catch: You have to pick up garbage.
The Dodgers’ two-day community caravan will start Feb. 14 with a stop at the Los Angeles River, where Ethier, Don Mattingly, James Loney and Tom Lasorda will be part of a group cleaning up the banks of this majestic … ah, who are we kidding?
Fans who would like to pretend they were convicted of driving under the influence and forced to do community service can register to take part in the event at dodgers.com/caravan. Space is limited to the first 250 fans.
Participants for the second day of the caravan will include Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Fernando Valenzuela.
Here’s the caravan schedule:
Monday, Feb. 14
Participants: Mattingly, Ethier and Loney; former Dodgers Lasorda, Steve Garvey, Bobby Castillo, Tommy Davis, Kenny Landreaux and Rudy Law; Dodgers broadcaster Steve Lyons.
10 to 11:30 a.m. Los Angeles River Cleanup (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)
The Dodgers in partnership with the Los Angeles City Council District 1, Councilmember Ed P. Reyes and Los Angeles Conservation Corps/Los Angeles River Keepers will clean up the banks of the L.A. River.
Dodgers fans must pre-register online to participate. The event is open to the first 250 registrants that sign up at www.dodgers.com/caravan.
Noon to 2:30 p.m. Visit to USC University Hospital, the Official Hospital of the Los Angeles Dodgers (Hospital employees only)
The Dodgers will join USC University Hospital public health workers for lunch as a thank you for their dedication to healthcare and research.
3 to 4 p.m. LACER (Literacy, Arts, Culture, Education and Recreation) at Thomas Starr King Middle School (Open to program participants)
LACER, a longstanding Dodgers community partner, provides after-school activities to underserved middle and high school youth. The Dodgers will join the LACER youth in playground activities and gardening.
5 p.m. Lopez Tonight Taping in Burbank
The Dodgers will make an appearance on George Lopez’s national show to share their community service experiences.
Tuesday, Feb. 15
Participants: Furcal, Kemp, Gwynn Jr., Jay Gibbons and Gabe Kapler; former Dodgers Valenzuela, Don Newcombe, Ron Cey, Derrel Thomas and Lou Johnson; Dodgers broadcasters Charley Steiner and Pepe Yniguez.
9:30 to 10 a.m. Los Angeles Fire Department, Station 3 (Open to media only)
LAFD Chief Millage Peaks, Councilman Tom La Bonge and Los Bomberos President Phillip Dominguez will join Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti and Furcal in announcing the donation of a LAFD fire truck to Furcal’s hometown Loma de Cabrera, Dominican Republic.
10:30 a.m. to noon Heal the Bay, Santa Monica (Public must pre-register for a chance to participate)
Dodgers fans will join the Dodgers on a Heal the Bay cleanup at Santa Monica beach. The event is open to the first 750 fans that register online at www.healthebay.org/events. Participants will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win autographed baseballs, Dodgers tickets and raffle items at the day’s event.
12:30 to 2 p.m. West Valley LAPD (West Valley LAPD Personnel Only)
The Dodgers will join the officers at the West Valley LAPD station for lunch as a thank you for their service in protecting the greater Los Angeles Community.
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. High School Visit (Open to media only)
The Dodgers will surprise the baseball and softball teams of a local high school and offer playing tips and instruction.
4 to 5:15 p.m. Dodgers Dreamfield Dedication Ceremony at Northridge Recreation Center
The Dodgers Dream Foundation will dedicate its 10th Dodgers Dreamfield at the Northridge Recreation Center. Councilman Greig Smith will join, and youngsters from the community will participate in the field’s first clinic with the Dodgers, who will instruct them on the fundamentals of baseball.
-- Dylan Hernandez