Children Uniting Nations brought together two things Americans excel at: baseball and helping others. How better to spend a summertime Sunday than to support the LA Dodgers baseball team while making a lasting difference in the lives of thousands of at-risk and foster youth of LA County?

Mel B and Daphna Ziman, founder of Children Uniting Nations

Dodger Day 2009

Children Uniting Nations (CUN), one of the premier non-profit organizations working with foster and at-risk youth, facilitated a successful 2009 Dodger Day on Sunday July 26th. More than 1,500 foster youth, hundreds of mentors, and numerous celebrities came together at Dodger Stadium to share in the day’s excitement. The annual event celebrated LA County’s foster youth, parents, guardians, kinship care providers, mentors, and all of the community members who support the cause.

This special day exposed the youth to positive role models and experiences outside of their everyday situation. Festivities included breakfast, games, giveaways from 93.5 The Beat Radio for the youth in attendance, celebrity presenters, first pitch ceremony, taking the field, and of course the main event, the Dodgers vs. the Florida Marlins.

Actor Michael Copon from One Tree Hill shared his personal stories about foster children, Spice Girl Mel B told the children to stay focused on their dreams, and Ken Davitian from Borat shared words about hard work and not letting circumstances get in the way of achieving your dreams.

90210's Dustin Milligan is all smiles for the 1st pitch

Influential Advice

“Key legislators, celebrities and sponsors such as Coke, Ball Up, and The Beat all come together to make this day so special for our kids and we are so appreciative,” said CUN Founder Daphna Ziman. “Today we celebrated people coming together to serve America by serving our most needy children.”

Celebrity supporters who spoke and met the children included Mel B (Spice Girls; “Dancing with The Stars,”) Dustin Milligan (“90210”), Ken Davitian (“Borat”; “Get Smart”), Michael Copon (“One Tree Hill”), Kristina Guerrero (E! News), Gretchen Rossi (“Real Housewives of Orange County”),and Professor (Ball Up Street Team). Legendary Dodger Tommy Davis spoke to the kids about reaching their dreams. Political leaders also in attendance included Senator Price and Supervisor Ridley Thomas.

Dodger Day was a collaborative event sponsored by the LA Dodgers, Children Uniting Nations, United Care, LA County Dept. of Children & Family Services, LA County Probation, and numerous community members throughout the county.

For more information or how you can help LA’s youth, please visit: www.childrenunitingnations.org.

Photos Provided by: Robert Kenney