Profiles in MHS Sports

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This profile on philanthropist Jason Silver is the fourth piece in a series on individuals in the community who are involved with the world of sports.

Jason Silver

The roar of the loyal fans following a memorable play. The taste of the world-famous Dodger Dog. The smell of the freshly mowed grass. An afternoon at a Los Angeles Dodgers game presents delights that are not limited to those blessed with the gift of sight.

Nobody understands the nonvisual aspects of sporting events more than 22-year-old Malibu resident Jason Silver. Growing up, Silver loved going to sporting events and rooting for his favorite players. However, he was troubled that many children, especially children with disabilities, never have the opportunity to attend a live professional sporting event. Therefore, Silver founded the 20/20 Sports Experience, which allows him to take visually challenged children to games.

“Baseball is a great sport, the national pastime, and when you get kids close to the field, they get a whole new perspective,” Dodger outfielder Juan Pierre said. “They realize how wonderful the game is and, even with disabilities, there are things in baseball you can do to be involved in it.”

At the sporting events, the children, who are legally blind, are able to forget their problems for a couple of hours and enjoy the game. They are also able to be close to their sports idols.

“It is important that we understand we are role models, whether we want to be or not. People look up to us, and we have to set a good example for them,” legendary Dodger manager Joe Torre said.

Major League Baseball and People magazine honored Silver for his leadership with the 20/20 Sports Experience by naming him a finalist in the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, which recognizes everyday leaders in the community. Silver is one of the three finalists representing the Dodgers, and he could be chosen based on fan voting taking place during pre-game ceremonies at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis.

Through his foundation’s achievements, Silver has earned the respect of the Dodger players. “Kids with disabilities often do not have the same opportunities other kids have, and if they can come and enjoy themselves at a game, it is awesome,” Dodger catcher Russell Martin said.

Silver spoke with The Malibu Times on the field at Dodger Stadium last Wednesday before a game against the Oakland Athletics. Silver, wearing a replica number 32 Sandy Koufax Dodger jersey, was honored by the Dodgers for being a finalist in the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign.

Q. What inspired you to start the 20/20 Sports Experience?

My inspiration was my love of sports and my love of optometry [his father’s profession] at the time, but mainly my love of sports. Going to sporting events with people from the community who are less fortunate was definitely something that I was interested in doing.

Q. How do the children react when you take them to the sporting events?

When we actually get to the event, the children are really overwhelmed with emotion. They have not been to a sporting event before, and to come experience a live event of their favorite sports team really puts them over the top.

Q. Seventy-eight percent of legally blind individuals will grow up to be unemployed. In what ways does your foundation lift the spirits of these people?

It is a motivational tool. Most of these kids come from less fortunate families, and have fewer means to succeed in life. Putting their legal blindness behind them, and being able to focus on the good aspects of life for a few hours, is something that really helps them.

Q. Crowded stadiums are difficult to navigate with any children, much less children with limited vision. What do you do to ensure the safety and well being of the children?

We make sure these kids come with their caregivers or their parents. It is a family experience. The family is there to help the kids out, and we provide special seeing-instruments, such as binoculars, to help them see better and watch the game.

Q. What has been the most rewarding part of running the 20/20 Sports Experience?

Seeing the smiles and overwhelming emotion that the kids and their families show when they come to events like this. They have never been able to experience something quite like this before, and giving them this opportunity makes it so worth it when they hug you, or kiss you, or just smile.

Q. Where do the tickets and money needed to fund your foundation come from?

Purely through donations. We try to garner donations through the community, through the sports teams directly, through family and friends, and through The Center of the Partially Sighted.

Q. Which local professional sports teams have worked with your foundation?

So far, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Los Angeles Clippers organizations have been very accommodating. We are definitely looking to reach out to the Los Angeles Sparks and the Los Angeles Lakers in the future as well.

Q. In what ways has being recognized as a finalist for the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign helped the 20/20 Sports Experience?

It has definitely placed myself in a national spotlight and allowed me to promote what I do in the community on a national level. Being able to get that exposure is essential in garnering more donations and better tickets, and helping to turn this organization into a full-fledged non-profit that can hopefully do events year round, and events around the nation as well.

Q. Through the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign, you may be chosen to be honored at the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. What does that opportunity mean to you?

That is going to be so much fun. To be able to represent Los Angeles, to represent the Dodgers, and to represent my organization, my family and myself, and to be at the All-Star Game, is going to be an experience like never before. This is an overwhelming experience for myself. If I were to win, it would be absolutely amazing, the trip of a lifetime.

Q. What advice do you have for individuals who aspire to start their own successful non-profit foundations?

You just got to do it. You have to create the future that you want, and not just have the future that is laid out for you. You have to go out and do it yourself. That is what I have learned. People are not going to hand you things; you have to be passionate and proactive about starting your own organization and following through.

Q. What goals do you have to expand the foundation for the future?

As it is right now, the foundation is Los Angeles-based. I would like to expand to be able to take kids to every sports team in town. Now that I have graduated [from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo], I have more time to dedicate to the 20/20 Sports Experience, so a lot of thought will go into expansion ideas. Trying to cover all of Los Angeles will be the first goal.

Q. What are your career goals?

I am really interested in sports business. My love of sports is unwavering at this point. I just graduated with a business degree, and I am looking to obtain a M.B.A in business as well. With the global aspect of sports today, being able to do business around the world is essential. Through internships and experiences, I hope to work in the sports business field, hopefully as a sports agent.

More information about the 20/20 Sports Experience, or to donate to the foundation, can be found online at www.2020sports.org