The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation committed to donating net proceeds from Wednesday’s 50/50 raffle at Dodger Stadium to support earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela.
Fans were able to purchase raffle tickets like normal before and during the series finale against the Colorado Rockies. Ticket sales concluded at the end of the seventh inning, and a total jackpot of $111,278 was announced. The winner received half of that amount, and the remaining net proceeds is being donated to the American Red Cross Venezuela Earthquakes Fund.
Relief efforts are ongoing after two consecutive earthquakes in excess of 7.0 magnitude devastated Venezuelan communities in Caracas, La Guaira, and surrounding areas on June 24.
Major League Baseball and the Players Association (MLBPA) previously made a $1 million joint donation in support of those affected by the Venezuela earthquakes. The financial donation to the Red Cross helped provide emergency assistance in the form of shelter, healthcare, mental health services, access to safe water and the distribution of essential relief items.
Dodgers match donation to Venezuelan relief efforts
Along with a $55,639 donation from the LADF, the Dodgers organization matched that total to further help in providing emergency medical care, food assistance, clean water, shelter, sanitation, and other critical humanitarian needs for affected families.
The grand total received from the Dodgers as a whole was $111,278.
“I love it,” manager Dave Roberts said of the contributions. “This one hits home to us with obviously three Venezuelan players, and so certainly with what’s happened to Eliezer’s family, devastating. And so for the Dodgers and the Dodgers Foundation to do what they’re doing proactively, I think it’s awesome.
“And also, it’ll be cool that the fans have some skin in the game too. So I just love when you do the right thing, and it’s the right thing to do.”
Eliezer Alfonzo’s stepmom and younger sister were found dead as a result of the devastating earthquakes. The 26-year-old nevertheless made his MLB debut hours after learning of the family tragedy.
Alfonzo said he’s leaned on his agent, girlfriend, and Miguel Rojas, a fellow Venezuelan, during the difficult time. He personally found it more beneficial to move forward with his big league debut as a way of honoring his late sister.
Alfonzo, Rojas, Brusdar Graterol and Edgardo Henriquez are among Venezuelan natives in the Dodgers organization.
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