The Los Angeles Dodgers and 11 more professional sports organizations from the city banded together on Friday to host three donation events to benefit those impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
At Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Galaxy partnered to provide clothing items, memorabilia, hygiene kits, school supplies and food.
Baby2Baby, Fanatics and the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation were also among the organizations on hand to provide goods.
The Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation provided transportation to and from evacuation centers and Los Angeles County Care Camps for more than 800 individuals.
Dodgers, Galaxy, Kings, Lakers and Sparks are working together at Dodger Stadium to provide apparel, personal hygiene kits, school supplies and shoes to those who have been evacuated because of the fires. pic.twitter.com/kUNyP9XnjO
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 17, 2025
Blake Snell helped stock Dodgers booths with items, and Chris Taylor and Anthony Banda were among the volunteers who distributed items to the thousands that attended. So too did Tricia Roberts, wife of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Chris and Mary Taylor are helping distribute merchandise to kids from local evacuation centers. pic.twitter.com/yuqPNWAzUx
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 17, 2025
Taylor was accompanied by his wife Mary, adding onto the couple’s efforts to support wildfire victims through their CT3 Foundation.
“Obviously what has happened here with all the fires is devastating,” Taylor said. “I feel for all of Los Angeles, and especially all the people here who were directly affected. I think it’s important for us to come out. This is a really big thing for them.
“Trying to restock them with clothes and whatever they need, and being here, seeing them in person, making it personal, showing our face and making an impact directly with the kids and their families, it goes a long way.”
Anthony Banda also is on hand to represent the #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/a9mqalsNyE
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 17, 2025
The Taylors plan to donate a significant portion of proceeds from the second annual CT3 Foundation Polar Plunge to benefit local firefighters.
Having a direct hand in giving back was also a key factor for Banda, who signed autographs and took pictures with fans in between passing out clothing.
Vanessa Bryant was at Dodger Stadium today to distribute Kobe shoes from the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation booth. @NikeLA pic.twitter.com/mmYJ7vcXGE
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) January 17, 2025
“Anything to help out the community, especially after the devastation from what happened, it brings a lot of joy to my heart to see people smiling and showing how strong they are,” he said. “The amount of people coming out to give help, to be able to be part of that, I’m so grateful and appreciative.”
Vanessa Bryant provided some attendees with limited-edition Kobe Bryant shoes, including the Nike Kobe 5 protro Year of the Mamba that recently released and quickly sold out.
Friday’s event was the first step in what’s going to be a year-long focus for the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
“Our mission is relief. Our mission is to be able to provide for people who are in unfortunate circumstances,” LADF CEO Nichol Whiteman said. “When tragedy hits, we double down. We’re excited about being able to integrate all of this into everything that we do this year.”
Dodgers donation for wildfires
SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium were sites used for donation events as well, with the likes of Angel City Football Club, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Angels, LAFC and Los Angeles Rams
The 12 L.A. sports teams recently 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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