Dodgers, Angels join in 12-team effort after devastating wildfires
Sonja Chen
@sonjamchenWith the greater Los Angeles area reeling from a devastating string of wildfires, the Dodgers and Angels were among the 12 L.A. professional sports organizations that collectively pledged more than $8 million in donations to support disaster relief on Monday.
The donations will benefit organizations including 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.
In addition to financial contributions, the L.A. teams are partnering with Fanatics to distribute more than $3 million worth of merchandise to those who have been affected by the fires. There are also three upcoming events where goods such as personal hygiene kits, school supplies, sneakers and more will be distributed to victims of the wildfires.
The distribution events will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium. Anyone with proof of residency in evacuated zip codes is eligible to attend, and bus transportation will be available for those in evacuation shelters. Lunch will be provided at the events.
Firefighters are still working to contain the wildfires in the region, which broke out last Tuesday and could go down as one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, according to The Associated Press.
Major League Baseball, professional sports leagues and Los Angeles organizations also collaborated with Fanatics on an "LA Strong" merchandise collection in support of wildfire relief starting last Friday. None of the parties involved will profit from sales, with the proceeds going directly to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
Individual players have contributed to recovery efforts as well. Among them are Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, who donated $100,000 each to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Pasadena Fire Department and the Salvation Army; and Chris Taylor and his wife, Mary, who are running a fundraiser through their CT3 Foundation in support of the L.A. Fire Department Foundation.