Monday, October 1, 2012

Dodger Stadium to host 'joyous' pro-life youth event

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Los Angeles, Calif., Sep 30, 2012 / 05:23 pm (CNA).- An “upbeat” pro-life event this November at Dodger Stadium will bring together teen speakers, professional athletes, celebrities, musicians and religious leaders to encourage young people to “go to bat for life” and become outspoken pro-life advocates.

“Young people speaking to young people is what will make our event unique – along with a joyous tone that will convey the beauty, fun and normalcy of being pro-life!” Carol Golbranson, co-founder of LIFEsocal, said Sept. 14.

LIFEsocal, a group of Los Angeles-area high school and college students and their parents, organized the Nov. 18 event, called Go2bat4LIFE. The interfaith gathering has the support of Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez.

Golbranson said the event will send the message that “not only is it okay to be prolife, but it is fun, and it is cool as well.”

Baptist Pastor Walter Hoye II will emcee the event. Christian bands such as Christafari and Lincoln Brewster will perform on the stadium’s infield stage. Professional athletes and other guests will rally the crowd.

Featured speakers and special guests include actor and “Bella” star Eduardo Verastegui; actress, singer and visual artist Alexandra Besore; 14-year-old actor Mauricio Kuri, who starred in the movie “For Greater Glory”; and pro-life advocate Marion Jones.

Several teenagers will tell the gathering about their unplanned pregnancies, what choices they made in response, and how those choices affected their lives.

One university student will talk about how she placed her baby in an adoptive home, while an abortion survivor will talk about forgiveness. A young man who was involved in an abortion will talk about how the death of his son changed his perspective.

Organizers have invited churches and schools from across southern California to attend.

Attendees can play baseball-themed games, ride a zip line and carnival rides, and enjoy ballpark food.

Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. and the event lasts from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event begins with a one-mile walk around the perimeter of Dodger Stadium.

Entry tickets cost $10 per person, though children 10 years-old and under can attend free. Game ticket proceeds benefit local pregnancy help centers and other pro-life ministries.

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More information is available at the event’s website http://go2bat4life.com./