Shohei Ohtani is giving $500,000 for fire relief. Here’s how other L.A. sports figures are helping

The local sports community has reached out to help those impacted by the massive wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles County for more than a week.

The area’s 12 major pro teams — Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Rams, Chargers, Kings, Ducks, Galaxy, LAFC and Angel City FC — announced Monday a commitment of $8 million toward wildfire relief.

Sports

Wildfire relief: L.A. teams donate $8 million; set Friday supply distributions

Teams at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium will be distributing items including apparel, hygiene kits, school supplies and sneakers to victims of the fires.

Jan. 13, 2025

Those organizations also held three simultaneous events at Dodger Stadium, SoFi Stadium and BMO Stadium on Friday, at which current and former athletes were among those on hand to distribute supplies to those affected by the fires.

Many members of those teams also have been making individual efforts to support the victims and first responders. Here are some of those individual efforts.

Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates after hitting a walk-off grand slam during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees on Oct. 25 at Dodger Stadium.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who played six years with the Angels before signing with the Dodgers, pledged $500,000 to the relief efforts. In an Instagram post Thursday night, Ohtani wrote in Japanese that his donation is going toward helping firefighters, people who lost their homes and animals in need of assistance.

First baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife Chelsea donated $300,000 to relief efforts, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, with $100,000 each going to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Pasadena Fire Department and the Salvation Army.

Sports

L.A. sports teams and Fanatics launch ‘L.A. Strong’ fire relief campaign

Professional sports teams and Fanatics partner on a campaign to raise money for the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Jan. 10, 2025

Utility player Chris Taylor‘s CT3 Foundation announced on Instagram that it is matching donations up to $5,000 to help with fire relief efforts. “We love you LA, and we are praying for you,” the post read. Taylor also joined teammates Blake Snell and Anthony Banda in helping out at Friday’s distribution event at Dodger Stadium.

The Justin Turner Foundation is matching donations to Dream Center LA’s fire relief fundraiser up to $100,000. Turner played for the Dodgers from 2014 to 2022 and was a key member of their 2020 World Series championship team.

Lakers coach JJ Redick talks to reporters about his family losing their rental house in the Palisades fire Jan. 10 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo.

(Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

Coach JJ Redick and his family lost the house they were renting — as well as many possessions of high personal value — in the Palisades fire. During an emotional news conference with reporters last week, Redick said he and the team would take a leading role in the recovery.

“We talked about it as a group before practice. It is our responsibility — everybody in this building — to lead on this and to help people,” Redick said. “You never know what that’s going to look like. … And I think between myself, [Rob Pelinka], I know the Buss family — Jeanie specifically — we’re prepared to do whatever it takes to help Los Angeles.”

Lakers videographer Rohan Ali set up a GoFundMe page to help his parents, who lost their Altadena home in the Eaton fire, and Anthony Davis ($20,000) and Jarred Vanderbilt ($4,000) are among the Lakers who donated to the fund. Joey Buss, brother of Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss, contributed $10,000.

Vanessa Bryant, wife of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, was on hand with the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation to help with supply distribution Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Steve Ballmer speaks on opening night at the Intuit Dome on Aug. 15.

(Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

Owner Steve Ballmer and his wife, Connie, announced Thursday that their Ballmer Group “dedicated an initial $15 million in emergency funding for the many people impacted by these fires, particularly in the historic, racially diverse community of Altadena.”

The FireAid benefit concert on Jan. 30 will be hosted at the Clippers’ home arena, the Intuit Dome,— and the Kia Forum, both of which are owned by the Ballmers.

California

Crews improve containment on Palisades, Eaton fires; some residents allowed to return

Some residents are beginning to assess the damage to their homes as firefighters appear to turn a corner in containing the blazes. But officials say there is much work to be done.

“We understand there will be a long road to recovery for the L.A. region and remain committed to supporting the community,” the Ballmers wrote.

Clippers guard James Harden‘s Impact 13 Foundation was one of several organizations that put on a supply drive Thursday in Houston to benefit the L.A. victims.

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp waves to the SoFi Stadium crowd following a game against the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 8 at SofFi Stadium.

(Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)

The Rams took out a full-page ad in The Times’ Sunday sports section with a message of support for everyone impacted by the fires and gratitude for those who are helping.

“When something hurts one of us, it hurts all of us,” the ad read. “And we respond together. Showing our strength, tenacity, passion and generosity. Revealing a City of Angels.”

The Rams are supporting two organizations: the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation the and American Red Cross. The Kroenke family that owns the team pledged $1 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.

Receiver Cooper Kupp and his wife, Anna, offered to match all proceeds raised by Dodo Coffee Co. for the LAFD Foundation through the sales of “L.A. on our Heart” T-shirts.

A group of diehard fans of the Rams’ next playoff opponent started a GoFundMe page that allows fellow Philadelphia Eagles supporters to donate toward L.A. fire relief. The effort has raised more than $30,000, while noting that “we’re still gonna kick the Rams’ butts.”

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh limped noticeably while leaving the field following a loss to the Texans on Jan. 11 in Houston.

(Ashley Landis / Associated Press)

The Chargers announced last week that they would donate $200,000 to several organizations throughout the region to assist evacuees, first responders, clean-up efforts and animal caretakers.

Days after his team’s playoff loss to the Houston Texans, coach Jim Harbaugh paid a visit to an LAFD base camp near the Palisades fire to provide moral support for the first responders who have been battling flames for more than a week.