14 Jul Grab a Burger, Support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles: Habit Burger’s One-Night Fundraiser on July 16

As someone who grew up in a Dodgers family, any excuse to combine baseball, good food, and giving back is one I can get behind.

When I received an invitation to meet Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia at the Dodgers x Habit Home Base in Echo Park, I knew I could not pass it up. I also knew my dad, a lifelong Dodgers fan, would love the opportunity, so he happily joined me for the evening.

The nighttime event took place at the Dodgers-themed Habit restaurant I first visited a few months ago with my nephew. Returning with my dad made the experience even more special. Not only would we enjoy Habit burgers and meet Alex Vesia, but we were also there to learn about Habit Burger & Grill’s upcoming fundraiser benefiting Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA).

Alex Vesia was at the event to help announce the fundraiser, which encourages the Southern California community to support CHLA with a simple meal. In addition, Los Angeles muralist Alex Ali Gonzalez, whose artwork adorns the exterior of the Dodgers x Habit Home Base, unveiled a portrait he had painted of Alex Vesia. The two signed the artwork together before it was presented to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where it will be displayed as a reminder of the community partnership. To learn more about the life-changing care they provide for children and families across Los Angeles, watch CHLA’s video.

After the announcement, we enjoyed burgers and fries before getting the chance to meet Alex Vesia. He was generous with his time, welcoming everyone with a smile and making each interaction feel genuine. When I told him it was my nephew’s 13th birthday that same day, but he could not join me because he was at baseball practice, Alex did not hesitate to offer to call him and wish him a happy birthday! It was an incredibly thoughtful gesture that undoubtedly made my nephew’s day.

For me, this evening also brought back memories. Long before I was writing about food and wine, I volunteered as a Candy Striper at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles while I was in high school. Even then, I saw firsthand how much the hospital means to children and families throughout Southern California. For 125 years, CHLA has been a beacon of hope and healing, and today it cares for more than 7o0,000 patients each year. Donations and community partnerships help CHLA expand access to world-class pediatric healthcare for children and families across Los Angeles.

If you would like to support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, it is as easy as grabbing a burger. On Thursday, July 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., 20% of net sales from 143 participating Habit Burger & Grill locations across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Riverside County will be donated to CHLA. Dine in and show the fundraiser flyer, or order online using the promo code GIVEBACK through HabitBurger.com, the Habit app, or an in-restaurant kiosk.

As Alex Vesia shared during the event, “Being part of this community means a lot to me, and I’m grateful to team up with Habit to support CHLA. CHLA does incredible work for kids and their families, and this fundraiser gives Dodgers fans an easy way to make a meaningful impact.”