A day of resilience: Eaton Fire relief distribution at Robinson Park
by Erin Edwards
Robinson Park in Pasadena was filled with more than just people on Jan. 25 — it was filled with hope, unity and the unwavering spirit of a community coming together to support one another in the wake of adversity. The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, alongside the City of Pasadena and a powerful network of partners, hosted an Eaton Fire Relief Distribution — an effort aimed at providing vital resources to the families and individuals affected by the recent fires.
With over 3,400 attendees — 1,552 of whom were youth — the event was nothing short of extraordinary. Families from 37 distinct zip codes from fire-impacted areas, came out to receive much-needed support. The turnout was a powerful testament to the resilience of the community and the depth of compassion that runs through Pasadena and beyond.
Families were able to access a wide range of resources, from food and clothing to toiletries, hot meals and even gift cards to help with their recovery efforts.
What does this day mean beyond the statistics? It means the difference between a family feeling alone and a family feeling seen. It means a youth receiving a pair of shoes that can help them take the next step toward a brighter future. It means giving adults access to resources like FEMA assistance, health screenings and other essentials they so desperately need during this challenging time. The impact of these small but significant actions adds up to something much bigger: a tangible demonstration of what community looks like in action.
Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, encapsulated the significance of the event, saying: “We always say that while we are champions on the field, we must also be champions off the field. That means showing up for the community in championship fashion. It’s our responsibility to be there for those struggling in underrepresented and marginalized communities throughout Los Angeles, especially when they’ve experienced an exasperated crisis. This is about more than just providing supplies; it’s about making sure people feel seen and supported in their greatest time of need.”
The support received from LADF partners Baby2Baby, Born x Raised, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Coca-Cola, Disney, Frito Lay, Jack in the Box, Ellen & Clayton Kershaw, Kershaw’s Challenge, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, New Balance, Panda Express, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball, Shoes That Fit, Undefeated, UCLA Health, Under Armour, Universal Music Group, World Central Kitchen and Vision to Learn was key to making this event a success. Together, all provided food boxes, hot meals, toiletries, health and FEMA resources and more.
The generosity of these partners, along with countless volunteers and local organizations, made it possible to provide all of this — and more — to the families who needed it most.
This day was about more than just handing out supplies; it was about showing the families affected by the Eaton Fire that they are not alone. It was about lifting up a community in the face of hardship and demonstrating that, together, we can weather any storm. Your participation, whether you showed up to volunteer or supported in other ways, made this event not only possible but a beacon of hope.
To learn more about the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodgers Foundation relief efforts visit Dodgers.com/Relief.
A Day of Resilience: Eaton Fire Relief Distribution at Robinson Park was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.