Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Justin Turner hit a double in the 7th inning on Sunday night to give the Dodgers a much-needed insurance run. But that probably wasn’t the highlight of his day.
Instead, he will probably point to the 2nd annual “Turner Trot,” held at Dodger Stadium on Sunday morning. Benefitting the Justin Turner Foundation, and by extension the LA Dream Center for veterans, the Turner Trot was a 5K run/walk on the streets of LA. Over 1,200 participants braved the triple-digit temps and showed up for the event, running in groups and pairs from Dodger Stadium to the Dream Center in Echo Park.
Needless to say, Turner was pleased with the outpouring of support.
“What I get to do over at Dodger Stadium for a living is something I don’t take for granted,” Turner said. “I get to play a kids’ game in front of a lot of people. (Kourtney and I) both feel like we have a responsibility because we’ve been blessed in our life to utilize this platform to do events like this to raise awareness for organizations like CHLA and the Dream Center of Los Angeles, who are two of our big beneficiaries, and try to help raise money and awareness for all the needs they have.”
What grew out of a celebrity golf tournament a few years ago has grown into the Justin Turner Foundation. The JTF now supports programs for veterans at The Dream Center in Los Angeles.
Turner and his wife Kourtney are humbled by the chance that baseball has given them to be an asset to the community. “Kourt and I have always taken a lot of pride in being in the community and being involved and giving back,” he said. “To be able to have the support of the community and to raise money and to give back to people in need is pretty special to us.”
