Easterseals Night with the Angels: A Celebration of Inclusion and Community

Over 1,000 staff, supporters, and community partners gathered for Easterseals' 6th annual Disability Pride Night with the Angels—a memorable night of baseball. 

Easterseals Night Highlights 

From on-field interactive opportunities for participants to a fun-filled tailgate party, Easterseals Night with the Angels was a true celebration of disability pride. Highlights included: 

• CVS Pre-Game Tailgate: Before the event, Easterseals’ community partner CVS hosted a tailgate for more than 400 guests, featuring music, giveaways, games, raffle prizes, hot dogs and ice cream. During the tailgate, CVS presented Easterseals with a check for more than $12K to support our disability services.
• Easterseals’ Welcome Booth: Easterseals hosted a welcome booth at the front plaza, providing resources and passing out Easterseals-branded giveaway items to eager baseball fans.
• On-Field Highlights: Two Easterseals participants helped kick off the game—Edward from our Adult Day Services program delivered the game ball while Aaron from Autism Service got the crowd going with an enthusiastic “play ball!” announcement. Additionally, Easterseals board member and sports anchor Maria Serrao went on the field before the game to watch the sports-themed PSA she produced for Easterseals appear on the jumbotron.
• In-Stadium Messaging: LED screens displayed Easterseals’ "Disability is Not a Dirty Word" campaign throughout the stadium, promoting disability inclusion.
• Angels’ Chairman Visit: Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl visited the CVS suite to express gratitude for their continued support and dedication to our mission.
• R1 Partnership Represented: Our longtime partner R1 also came out in support of Easterseals, with over 80 of their associates joining.

An Ongoing Inclusive Partnership

The collaboration between Easterseals and the Angels began in 2019 and has blossomed into a powerful alliance for disability inclusion. Several notable achievements include: 

• The Angels Sensory Room: Easterseals staff consulted with the Angels on creating a Sensory Room for fans. This dedicated space, filled with calming lights, low noises, and tactile toys, provides a tranquil retreat for fans needing a moment away from the crowds and noise.
• Program Collaborations: The Angels support our Annual "Walk on Water" surfing experience for Autism Services and also provide in-stadium tours for the Adult Day Services program.
• Strides for Disability 5k/3K: In 2024, the Angels hosted our annual Strides for Disability 5k/3K fundraiser, making it one of the most successful Strides events to date.
• Back 2 School Event: This July, 50 children from Easterseals have been invited to participate in the Angels’ annual Back 2 School event, where they will get the chance to walk through the stadium and experience photo ops, music, and giveaways that will include Angels branded back-to-school gear.

“Partnering with the Angels allows us to spotlight disability awareness and resources, and promote the widespread impact Easterseals has on the disability community,” said Kristin Tomlinson, Director of Partnerships at Easterseals Southern California.

Easterseals Night with the Angels showcased the power of community partnerships and the strides made in disability inclusion. With ongoing support from partners like the Angels and CVS, Easterseals is set to make an even greater impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities.