On the eve of the Los Angeles Dodgers and 11 other professional sports teams from the area joining forces on drive-thru events for those impacted by the Southern California wildfires, Shohei Ohtani and his wife Mamiko pledged a $500,000 donation to multiple organizations providing relief efforts.
Ohtani made the announcement on his Instagram account Thursday night.
“Our hearts go out to all the firefighters who continue to fight for us during the fires in LA,” Ohtani wrote in the caption. “We’ll be donating $500,000 to help those firefighters and those forced to live in shelters to help animals in need.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are also working together with teams from other competitions to help sell t-shirts and more. I hope you all will consider this. I hope you recover soon. LA Strong.”
Ohtani’s Instagram post also included links to the “LA Strong” t-shirt campaign, California Wildfire Recovery Fund, Pasadena Humane Society, Canine Rescue Club and Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
Firefighters are currently battling blazes in Pacific Palisades, Altadena/Pasadena, West Hills, Sylmar, Acton (Antelope Valley) and Granada Hills. Containment levels have improved of late, particularly with previously-windy conditions subsiding.
The Palisades Fire, the most destructive in California state history, has burned more than 23,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,200 structures and damaged an additional 204, based on the latest reports from officials.
Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman & Chris Taylor donating
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.
The Los 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.
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