GOOD NEWS: LA Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and His Family Use Entire $2,000 Bonus and Plane Ticket to Sponsor 9-Year-Old Girl Abandoned at Airport

Los Angeles, CA – May 27, 2025 — In a moment that has moved the nation, Los Angeles Dodgers’ veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his family are being praised for stepping up in a time of crisis. The Kershaws used Clayton’s entire $2,000 performance bonus and purchased a plane ticket to sponsor a 9-year-old girl who had been heartbreakingly abandoned by her family at the airport.

The young girl, identified as Amina (name changed to protect her privacy), was found alone at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), clutching a small backpack and a handwritten note. The message stated that her family was no longer able to care for her and asked for someone with compassion to take her in.

Local authorities and a child services agency were quickly notified, and the story made its way through community networks. When Clayton and his wife, Ellen Kershaw, heard the story on a local news broadcast, they acted immediately.

“We looked at each other and just knew we had to do something,” said Ellen Kershaw. “No child should ever have to feel abandoned or unwanted.”

A Champion On and Off the Field

Clayton Kershaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, but those who know him also speak of his generosity and his family’s long-standing commitment to humanitarian work. The Kershaws have previously launched charitable efforts in Africa and inner-city Los Angeles, focusing on vulnerable children.

Using his recent $2,000 bonus — awarded for a team milestone — Kershaw and his family contacted the child welfare agency handling Amina’s case. They arranged to cover the costs of her immediate needs and purchased a domestic plane ticket to safely relocate her to a specialized care facility.

The Ticket That Changed Everything

The plane ticket purchased by the Kershaws allowed Amina to be transferred to a child trauma recovery center in Northern California. The center provides therapy, education, and long-term placement services for children who have experienced extreme emotional distress.

“That plane ticket wasn’t just a travel expense,” Clayton said. “It was her chance at a fresh start, at safety, at hope.”

The family has pledged to remain in Amina’s life for the long term, sponsoring her education and making regular visits. They are also exploring legal avenues to establish guardianship or mentorship depending on what’s best for her future.

Support from the Dodgers and Fans

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization released a public statement in support of Kershaw’s actions:

“We are incredibly proud of Clayton and Ellen Kershaw. Their compassion and quick action in helping a child in need speaks volumes about their character. They continue to represent the best of our franchise both on and off the field.”

Fans and fellow athletes have echoed this praise across social media platforms. Hashtags like #KershawCares and #DodgersGiveBack have trended across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with thousands applauding the couple’s heartfelt action.

Experts Applaud Public Figures Using Their Platform for Good

Child advocacy professionals note that public figures like Kershaw can help shift public attention toward urgent issues that often go unnoticed.

“When celebrities get involved in cases like this, it can inspire systemic change and increase donations or awareness,” said Dr. Karen Liu, a child welfare expert in California. “Kershaw didn’t just help one child — he helped spark a broader conversation.”

A Story Bigger Than Baseball

While Clayton Kershaw has built his legacy with strikeouts and Cy Young Awards, this story reminds everyone that heroes are not just defined by their stats — but by their heart.

“We don’t want the attention,” Kershaw said in an interview. “We just want Amina to feel like she matters — because she does. Every kid does.”

As Amina begins a new chapter in her life, she does so with a newfound sense of hope, thanks to the kindness of a family who chose to act. And for the Kershaws, it’s simply another extension of their belief in using their blessings to bless others.