LA Dodgers Foundation, San Manuel spread holiday cheer to Think Together students in Rialto

Werner Elementary School students in Rialto were greeted with a holiday surprise from someone they’d never expect, Los Angeles Dodger Third Base Coach, Dino Ebel. Nearly 50 students gathered on Nov. 30 to hear Ebel read, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” written by Larry Harper as part of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation LA Reads program.

Ebel delivered Los Angeles Dodgers branded gifts and books alongside volunteers and staff of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Rialto Unified School District and Think Together. Ebel, who has roots in the Inland Empire, said he was excited for a chance to give back.

“It’s very special to me to come out to my community and be able to speak to the youth about the importance of doing well in school and achieving your dreams,” said Ebel. “I know the importance of coming from a small town and showing kids that they can be anything if they put their mind to it.”

Think Together serves up to 11,000 students with afterschool and expanded learning programs in San Bernardino County, including 1,677 students across 25 schools in Rialto. Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians have both supported students in Rialto with reading and literacy programs as well as STEM and coding programs through the collaborative Coding for All initiative.

“We are so grateful to partner with such generous organizations like the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians,” said Think Together Founder and CEO Randy Barth. “When organizations can come together like this for the kids, it really shows them they have people in their lives that care about them.”

Think Together has been a partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation since 2015. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation supports Think Together’s college readiness programs with college field trips for middle school students in Los Angeles County and social emotional learning programs for middle school students in San Bernardino and Los Angeles.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has supported Think Together students in Rialto since 2011, supporting reading and literacy. Starting in 2021, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians helped launch coding curriculum and instruction across 19 elementary schools.