by Megan Garcia
The smiles were worth more than a thousand words. Bags filled with T-shirts, food and masks rustled against each other as families collected essential items being handed out at Dodger Stadium. The sense of resiliency — and community — was palpable.
The Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, in conjunction with 11 other Los Angeles professional sports teams, hosted a donation event at Dodger Stadium on Friday for thousands of individuals and families impacted by the L.A. wildfires. Volunteers and players from various teams, like Dodger pitchers Blake Snell and Anthony Banda and utilityman Chris Taylor and Sparks guard Lexie Brown, served people who were impacted by the fires.
“Given the circumstances, the devastation, the families affected by the fires, it was something that I jumped on,” Banda said. “Anything that can be done or any kind of help would be appreciated.”
Partners of the Dodgers, Galaxy, Kings, Sparks and Fanatics brought in pallets to Dodger Stadium stacked with items. Over 600 kids received toys, clothes and meals. Some received Kobe Bryant shoes that were given out by the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
Over a week has passed since the wildfires started, which devastated multiple communities in the Greater Los Angeles area. Evacuation orders have kept people away from their personal belongings since then, while others have lost their homes due to the fires and will need to start anew.
Los Angeles Dodgers Vice President of Government and Community Affairs Kristin McCowan was moved by the turnout at Dodger Stadium.
“It’s our responsibility,” McCowan said. “I’m glad that we are doing it together because I do think that makes a statement about what we know are our Dodger values and that those are shared values by all the teams supporting this amazing community.”
The 12 L.A. sports teams joined together to contribute more than $8 million to support victims and those fighting the fires. Dodger first baseman and World Series Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman donated $300,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Pasadena Fire Department and the Salvation Army. Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani announced on Thursday he was donating $500,000 to firefighters, evacuees and animals impacted by the fires.
Chris Taylor and his wife, Mary, shared that a significant portion of the proceeds of their annual Polar Plunge with the CT3 Foundation on Feb. 2 at the Manhattan Beach Pier will benefit local firefighters.
“The fire department has done so much. They’re obviously doing heroic things each and every day,” Taylor said. “I think it’s important that we give them the resources they need.”
Support for these communities will continue throughout the year. The Dodgers and LADF have committed to ongoing relief efforts throughout the 2025 season. Raffle proceeds from Opening Day and the rest of that week will support wildfire nonprofit organizations. The Blue Diamond Gala, LADF’s biggest annual fundraiser, will also support L.A. wildfire relief efforts.
Robinson Park in Pasadena will be the next stop for LADF on Jan. 25 to provide more aide, in partnership with the Pasadena Unified School District, to residents of Pasadena. Palisades Charter High School and John Muir High School — Jackie Robinson’s alma mater — are also receiving support from LADF for baseball and softball equipment and apparel.
“Our mission is relief. Our mission to be able to provide for people who are in unfortunate circumstances,” said LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman. “When a tragedy hits, we double down. We’re excited about being able to integrate all of this into everything that we do this year.”
The Dodgers and Los Angeles sports teams bring relief to the communities impacted by L.A. fires was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.