CHOC and ELF Go For A Home Run

CHOC and ELF Go For A Home Run
May 20th, 2018 by Jane Noble

​It is always so satisfying when you plan for months for an event and it all turns out so well on the day. Many months ago, CHOC Children’s decided to collaborate with ELF to highlight May as Mental Health Awareness Month at the Twins v. Angels game that took place last Saturday evening, May 12 at Angel Stadium. ELF is thrilled that CHOC is leading the way in recognizing that children’s mental health is as important as their physical health. There is no health without mental health.
The day before the game, the wind was whipping up, clouds were hurrying across the sky and much needed rain was watering our gardens. Great, but not what you want for an outdoor event! Saturday could not have been better. The sun shone, families smiled and children laughed. Before the game, it was Angels Fiesta time in the parking lot under the Big A, with mariachi bands sending out strains of salsa that your hips couldn’t resist swaying to.
ELF committee members and representatives from CHOC set up shop under a turquoise E-Z Up to welcome guests. Some supporters had purchased their tickets. Other tickets were donated to families at-risk. The message from everyone was as loud and clear as the bright green of our T shirts and sponge hands that popped against the red of the Angels’ fans. High Five for Mental Health! Away with the stigma! We are all in this together! Everyone was having fun high fiving anyone who crossed their path.
The event took place on the day before Mother’s Day and it was wonderful to see so many families with young children and teenagers at the game. You could spot the ELF/CHOC squad from anywhere in the stadium, neon shirts and hats aglow. The only thing that would have improved the evening was a win by the Angels who unfortunately lost to the Minnesota Twins 5:3 in the 12th.