A Home Run for Education

More than 1,000 people came together at the Hollywood American Legion Saturday in the name of baseball legend and civil rights activist Jackie Robinson. L.A.’s Friends of Jackie Robinson Foundation held its “EX3 ‘98--Extravaganza of Entertainment for Education” for the second year. The name may be convoluted, but the cause is simple: to raise college tuition for underprivileged youths.

“Jackie exemplified how one person could make a difference,” foundation President Steven Brown said. “For this event, we have young people who never even saw him play baseball getting together to help out.”

Guests danced to music by disco cover band Funky Hippeez and swing band Jumpin’ Jimes, and dined on appetizers donated by Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch, China One, Manhattan Wonton, Ben & Jerry’s and more.

The party was staffed by many current and former Robinson Foundation scholars, including Victoria Williams, 19, of Inglewood, a chemical engineering major at UCLA.

“I didn’t know if I should come, because I have a final this week,” she said. “But I’ve seen all the things this group can do, and you can’t help but want to give back.”

Celebrities lending a hand to the event included Greg Germann, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Jerry O’Connell and Mickey Dolenz.

Los Angeles has the largest contingent of Jackie Robinson scholarship recipients in the nation. The event raised $45,000 for the New York-based foundation.