The legendary Tommy Lasorda of the Los Angeles Dodgers was honored by Jewish Vocational Service  at an Evening of Celebration on January 28, 2012 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Honorary Chair Bob Graziano, Managing Partner of Northern Trust and former President of the LA Dodgers, kicked off the evening.

Graziano thanked everyone in attendance for making the night such a huge success and gave a special nod to the members of his outstanding Dinner Committee: All-time home run hitter in Los Angeles Dodger franchise history, the 1992 Rookie of the Year and a UCLA alum-- Eric Karros; 20-year MLB veteran and a member of the 1981 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers-- Jay Johnstone, and the great Dodger pitcher who played for the Dodgers from 1990 through 1994-- Jim Gott.”

He also mentioned former Dodgers VP for Human Resources David Walkley, who now holds the same position for JVS and former NFL wide receiver Michael Young, who is the Chief Revenue Officer for the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Other members of the Dinner Committee including Dodger All-Star Maury Wills, Anastasia Mann of Corniche Travel and one of the night’s major sponsors, Peter O’Malley, were unable to attend but sent a message of support.

“I’ve always said there are three types of baseball players,” says Lasorda. “Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happened!  I like the first type, which is why I’m so pleased to be honored by JVS. They aren’t sitting on the sidelines. They are helping thousands of people each year who are desperate to get back to work. They recognize talent and motivation and they nurture it in the right direction.  We have that in common, because that’s what I know best - helping individual players, the team and everyone in the community of Los Angeles become winners.”

The event featured a video, “The Road to Hope” highlighting the desperation of the long term unemployed and the life-changing impact of JVS’ work and guests heard personal success stories from four clients, ranging from a foster youth to a war veteran.  Tommy, a huge advocate for men and women serving in the military, has visited over 40 military bases on USO trips and made an impassioned plea for jobs for returning vets.

For more information visit www.jvsla.org.