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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Ball, LA

Home Care Ball, LA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Louisiana's Old State Capitol gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Ball, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”

Tusi
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TESTIMONIALS

“My Grandmother is a client with Dementia and wanted to stay in her home. Always Best Care has allowed her to do so, and our family is forever grateful. Thank you Always Best Care!”

Cynthia W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”

Joseph P.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”

Kimberly M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”

Marilyn H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”

Betty W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”

Tiffany S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”

Corey W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”

Marilyn
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TESTIMONIALS

“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”

Patty A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They provide the best care! The Owners are nurses and have been in the business for over 25 years.”

Ruben T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“They have been taking care of my mother for the past 8 years. Their care providers have been the absolute best in the industry. Our mom has been very happy with all the care providers we have used through Always Best Care.”

Rhonda S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family Cotton Bradford”

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What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Ball, LA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Ball, LA

Types of Elderly Care in Ball, LA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Ball, LA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Ball, LA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting town Park,Ball Louisiana with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Ball, LA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Restaurant R'evolution or visit Old Governor's Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

Benefits of Home Care in Ball, LA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Ball, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Ball, LA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your LA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Ball, LA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Ball, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Ball, LA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Ball, LA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Ball Senior Citizen Center
  • Alternative Concept Care Services
  • Louisiana Community Care Inc.
  • The Blake at Colonial Club
  • The Oaks Center
  • Lambeth House Retirement Community - Independent & Assisted Living
Home Care Ball, LA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Ball, LA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Ball, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Ball, LA

Latest News in Ball, LA

Inside the Governors Ball with Oscar winners and nominees

The Governors Ball, just a short escalator ride up from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, is the first stop for winners and many of the other luminaries in the Oscars audience before they branch out to more prestigious (and ...

The Governors Ball, just a short escalator ride up from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, is the first stop for winners and many of the other luminaries in the Oscars audience before they branch out to more prestigious (and hard-to-get-into) parties.

Nonetheless, it’s the best place to catch a glimpse of the winners on a small stage in the back of the ballroom where they go to get their statues engraved. (Among those we saw mounting the dais Sunday evening were supporting actress winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph in a shade of light blue that nicely complemented the Oscars art mounted above.)

Servers cut cramped zigzags across the packed ballroom wielding trays of bubbling hot mac ’n’ cheese, truffle pizza and petite cheeseburgers with tiny paper cones full of crisp fries while winners waited with their handlers to see their statues marked with their wins. As always, chef Wolfgang Puck’s tiny gold chocolate Oscars were piled high on the dessert table.

Awards

March 11, 2024

Other star sightings at the ball included “Barbie” writer-director Greta Gerwig, laughing on her way in; supporting actor winner Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”), who kept largely to himself — looking introspective before being swept out of the room with his statue; and “American Fiction” nominee Jeffrey Wright, who sat with a few friends close at a far side of the room. “Poor Things” nominee Mark Ruffalo was gregarious on the escalator ride to the party, joking about how he really thought he might be replaced by pal Oscar Isaac during the shoot and how he didn’t quite realize the enormous effect the film would have after it was released.

But attracting as much attention as any of the honorees were Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, who was thronged by well-wishers, fellow executives like Disney Television Group’s Craig Erwich and a gaggle of press, and Jimmy Kimmel, who hosted the well-received telecast on Disney-owned ABC.

Kimmel kept an even keel as he accepted praise for handling a tough gig — including one passerby who called him “the best Oscars host ever” — and seemed undaunted about reopening his social media after a late-ceremony joke about former President Trump, who criticized Kimmel’s performance on Truth Social. Whatever he does, Kimmel sighed, “half the people hate it and the other half love it.”

What Time Does iHeartRadio Jingle Ball LA Start?

It’s not the holiday season until Mariah Carey resuscitates “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball festivities begin. We’ve officially crossed both thresholds, as ...

It’s not the holiday season until Mariah Carey resuscitates “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball festivities begin. We’ve officially crossed both thresholds, as the 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour kicked off on Sunday, November 26, in Tampa, Florida, continued on Tuesday, November 28, in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area, and will next hit Kia Forum in Los Angeles, California on Friday night, December 1.

Each city will have a slightly different variation of the headlining lineup, with iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2023’s bringing Olivia Rodrigo, Niall Horan, AJR, Sabrina Carpenter, Miguel, Doechii, Flo Rida, (G)I-DLE, and P1Harmony to LA.

What Time Does iHeartRadio Jingle Ball LA Start?

According to iHeart’s official announcement on September 29, iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented By Capitol One is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. PST. Actually, every iHeartRadio Jingle Ball show will begin at either 7 or 7:30 p.m. local time.

What Other Cities Will The 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Visit?

The next show is scheduled for Monday, December 4, at Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. That show will stage Nicki Minaj, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, (G)I-DLE, and former Uproxx cover star Kaliii.

See the rest of the remaining schedule below, as relayed by iHeart.

Friday, December 8: iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at Madison Square Garden in New York City featuring Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Pentatonix, David Kushner, and Melanie Martinez.

Sunday, December 10: iHeartRadio KISS 108’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts featuring SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, OneRepublic, Flo Rida, David Kushner, Melanie Martinez, NCT DREAM, and (G)I-DLE.

Monday, December 11: iHeartRadio Hot 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC featuring OneRepublic, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Flo Rida, Melanie Martinez, David Kushner, NCT DREAM, and (G)I-DLE.

Tuesday, December 12: iHeartRadio Q102’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featuring Usher, OneRepublic, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, David Kushner, and (G)I-DLE.

Thursday, December 14: iHeartRadio Power 96.1’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia featuring Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice, Sabrina Carpenter, Flo Rida, David Kushner, Kaliii, and NCT DREAM.

Saturday, December 16: iHeartRadio Y100’s Jingle Ball 2023 Presented by Capital One at Amerant Bank Arena, Ft. Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida featuring Marshmello, AJR, Flo Rida, Ludacris, LANY, David Kushner, Kaliii, and Paul Russell.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Let’s Play Ball: Holiday ball drive is in full swing with new sponsors

December is here, which means it’s time to break out the wrapping paper and the gifts from the closet — and likely panic and actually begin holiday shopping.Despite the hustle and bustle of the holidays season, we’re hoping you’re not too frazzled to think about the at-risk children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board of the LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation, with a collection of balls that will be donated to the Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play...

December is here, which means it’s time to break out the wrapping paper and the gifts from the closet — and likely panic and actually begin holiday shopping.

Despite the hustle and bustle of the holidays season, we’re hoping you’re not too frazzled to think about the at-risk children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor.

Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board of the LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation, with a collection of balls that will be donated to the Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play Ball campaign benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor. The foundation’s board allocated $500 to buy balls for the campaign. (Photo by Margaret Spinelli)

The Daily Breeze’s Let’s Play Ball campaign is in full swing and the 24th annual sports ball donation campaign can use as much help as possible as we try to reach or surpass this year’s goal of 3,000 balls.

So while you’re doing your shopping for relatives and friends, consider adding just one ball to your shoping cart. It’s super easy to do online with our Amazon gift list and even easier (and cheaper) to do it if you stop by a Big 5 Sporting Goods location while doing your holiday shopping to take advantage of their 25% discount on donated balls.

While every little ball helps, our campaign would not be successful without the generosity of new sponsors who donate in multiples.

The L.A. Sportswalk of Fame Foundation is one of those heroes.

The Sportswalk honors local sports phenoms and puts their names in bronze on downtown San Pedro sidewalks. And now, the foundation has signed on to be a sponsor for Let’s Play Ball.

When Sportswalk board members were approched about a sponsorship, it was a slam dunk, with little discussion, said Bill Spinelli, secretary to the board.

“We’d never thought about what our mission is and how the ball drive helps,” he said, adding it’s just such a natural fit since both support local sports programs and development.

First, the foundation set up a collection area at board member Dr. Tim Ursich’s Marina Sports Medicine office. Then, the foundation’s board allocated a generous donation of $500 to buy balls.

The LA Sportswalk of Fame Foundation’s board voted to allocate the funds in November. Spinelli said he ran right out and used that money to purchase the balls. When I spoke to him on Friday, Dec. 1, he was in the process of inflating them all.

“My wife told me I better buy the playground balls because kids love those,” he said. “So, that’s why I purchased so many of that type.”

Sportswalk, though, isn’t new to donating to the Boys & Girls Clubs. In 2018, it gave $15,000 in scholarship money to the Harbor Area and Long Beach clubs. And once the foundation closes out the books from its 2023 induction event, Spinelli said, its plans to gift more scholarships this year.

Spinelli said he appreciated the opportunity to be hands-on this year.

“It felt really good (purchasing the balls),” he said, “and I’m hoping they get into the right hands of the kids and that it really helps them.”

Who knows? A beautiful, pumped-up, brand new ball might just inspire the next LA Sportswalk Hall of Famer.

Let’s Play Ball

Help us reach our goal of 3,000 athletic balls, which will be distributed at a holiday drive-thru event at BGCLA.

New balls of any type are great, just make sure they are still in their original packaging. Several commuity partners will serve as drop-off locations, including local Big 5 Sporting Goods — which will offer 25% off any regularly priced ball that gets donated to the drive.

The deadline to donate is Dec. 15.

How to donate

Easy online ordering: Simply click here for the Breeze’s Amazon Gift List. Be sure to add the shipping address, BGCLAH, 1200 South Cabrillo, San Pedro, CA 90731.

In-person: Donate at the following locations:

How to become a sponsor

The response to our pleas for sponsors has been great. Thanks to the Los Angeles Angels for their donation of three dozen baseballs. Our other partners include the LA Kings, which reports they have two huge bins of hocky gear ready to donate and BCS Flag Football Club, which will collect during their championship games.

If you want to help, please send an email to [email protected].

Elly De La Cruz's foul ball off Hunter Greene breaks window of Greene's SUV during Reds practice

It's never a good idea to park in an area that could be susceptible to errant throws or foul balls. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene found that out the hard way Tuesday.During a live batting practice session, Greene was facing Elly De La Cruz when De La Cruz fouled off a pitch that drilled the rear driver's side window of Greene's Mercedes-Maybach SUV in the players' parking lot.This is hard to believe. This Elly De La Cruz foul ball during live BP off Hunter Greene smashed the rear driver&rs...

It's never a good idea to park in an area that could be susceptible to errant throws or foul balls. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene found that out the hard way Tuesday.

During a live batting practice session, Greene was facing Elly De La Cruz when De La Cruz fouled off a pitch that drilled the rear driver's side window of Greene's Mercedes-Maybach SUV in the players' parking lot.

This is hard to believe. This Elly De La Cruz foul ball during live BP off Hunter Greene smashed the rear driver’s side window of Greene’s luxury SUV. “You’re paying for it” Greene said. EDLC’s answer? “You make more than me.” pic.twitter.com/JlCI8wxPsL

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) February 20, 2024

“That’ll teach you to park in the first spot,” Reds president Nick Krall joked, via the Cincinnati Inquirer.

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Greene won the battle, striking out De La Cruz looking before discovering that he had a new task to handle once practice was done for the day.

Live BP matchup between Elly and Hunter ??Foul ball ??Smashed window ??Epic aftermath photo ?? pic.twitter.com/gLsFx5Tf20

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 20, 2024

On Wednesday, Greene, who apparently learned his lesson, pulled up in a truck and parked farther from the field to avoid future broken windows.

Not parking in foul territory today… pic.twitter.com/zVJGcuZuH8

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) February 21, 2024

Reds fans are hoping that Greene can keep delivering strikeouts and that De La Cruz and his electric abilities can help the team to an NL Central finish better than third place for the first time since 2012.

Elly De La Cruz smashes Hunter Greene’s car window — with foul ball pitcher threw

Rarely does a foul ball come back to hurt a pitcher, but on Tuesday, Hunter Greene was feeling the pain.During a live batting practice session in Arizona on Tuesday afternoon, Greene, 24, was on the mound and pitching to Elly De La Cruz when the budding infielder smacked a liner foul — that clipped and smashed one of the windows of the pitcher’s car.Pictures and videos on social media of the SUV showed a baseball-sized shattering of the rear window on the driver’s side of the vehicle.“You’re...

Rarely does a foul ball come back to hurt a pitcher, but on Tuesday, Hunter Greene was feeling the pain.

During a live batting practice session in Arizona on Tuesday afternoon, Greene, 24, was on the mound and pitching to Elly De La Cruz when the budding infielder smacked a liner foul — that clipped and smashed one of the windows of the pitcher’s car.

Pictures and videos on social media of the SUV showed a baseball-sized shattering of the rear window on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

“You’re paying for that!” Greene said after the damage was done, per Fox 19.

“You make more than me,” De La Cruz retorted to the $53 million pitcher, according to reporter Mike Petraglia.

Greene posted a photo on his Instagram Story with De La Cruz, captioning it: “Better have @safelite on speed dial.”

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft then posted a video of the damage, writing “Real as it gets for those of you questioning.”

The Reds are hoping what’s also “real” is that they can build off their turnaround last season that saw them finish 82-80 and just shy of a National League wild-card berth.

Greene and Cruz would be two of the cogs that could get Cincinnati back into the postseason for the first time since the shortened 2020 season.

Though Greene has a 4.62 ERA over his first two MLB seasons, he has one of the game’s premier fastballs that averages 98 mph and has helped him whiff more than 30 percent of the batters he’s faced since entering the big leagues.

De La Cruz burst onto the scene last year with an impressive start to his rookie campaign, hitting for the cycle in just his 15th career game.

The 22-year-old electrified fans with his five-tool abilities, even stealing three bases — including home — during one inning last season.

He struggled down the stretch, though, hitting .191 in his final 68 games.

Now, the Reds are hoping for another break.

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