The Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Angels, LAFC, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Sparks pledged a combined donation of more than $8 million to support victims in need, as well as those fighting the Southern California wildfires.
Freddie Freeman and his wife Chelsea, and Chris and Mary Taylor also have taken to making donations. The Justin Turner Foundation is continuing its support of the greater Los Angeles area as well.
Firefighters are currently battling blazes in Pacific Palisades, Altadena/Pasadena, West Hills, Sylmar, Acton (Antelope Valley) and Granada Hills. While there has been progress made in containing each of the fires, impending windy conditions are creating concern.
The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for large portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Wind gusts ranging from 45 mph to 70 mph are expected, in addition to dry air and a greater risk of rapid fire spread.
Beneficiaries of the teams’ contributions include the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon and various local animal rescue organizations.
It marks a second instances of the majority of L.A.’s professional sports teams banding together to provide support for a crucial cause. They previously did so in August 2023 for Maui wildfire relief efforts.
Among other initiatives, the Dodgers organization has also donated to Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico, joining Kiké Hernández to support rebuilding efforts following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
In 2017, the Dodgers provided for those affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and an earthquake in Mexico by pledging $100,000 to the American Red Cross.
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation also came to the aid of those in need during the pandemic in 2020 by providing essential services and donations.
Last January, Guggenheim Baseball, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani came together in supporting relief efforts after the Sea of Japan earthquake (7.6 magnitude) struck to begin the new year.
Dodgers event for L.A. wildfires
Along with the financial contribution, the Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation — in addition to the other 11 L.A. Sports teams and their foundations — are partnering with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to distribute $3 million worth of the brand’s merchandise to Angelenos who have been evacuated from their homes.
In addition to the apparel items being donated by Fanatics, teams are collectively contributing thousands of items that will be given out at three upcoming events on Friday, Jan. 17.
The donation events will also feature individual teams’ community partners on site at various locations distributing personal hygiene kits, school supplies, shoes and more. Evacuated victims of the fires will be able to participate in the distribution events at three locations on Friday — Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium — from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Angelenos with proof of residency in evacuated Zip Codes are eligible to attend. Bus transportation is being offered to help individuals residing in evacuation shelters with travel to stadium distribution sites. Lunch will be provided to individuals and families at the stadium events.
The events are in addition to the ongoing ‘L.A. Strong’ campaign between Fanatics and local sports teams with proceeds from the special t-shirt designs supporting relief efforts for the wildfires.
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