Los Angeles sports teams donate US$8 million to wildfire relief efforts
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A swimming pool sits amid charred homes and burnt cars in the rubble of the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates in Los Angeles.
PHOTO: AFP
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LOS ANGELES – Twelve Los Angeles pro sports teams on Jan 13 pledged to donate a combined US$8 million (S$11 million) to support victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and those fighting the blazes.
Angel City FC, the Angels, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, LAFC, Lakers, Rams and Sparks said they will make contributions to the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and other relief organisations.
The teams and Fanatics, the sports apparel and Fan Gear Store, will also distribute US$3 million worth of sports merchandise to Angelenos, who have been evacuated from their homes, and distribute personal hygiene kits, school supplies, sneakers and more at relief sites around the city.
Dangerously high winds have jeopardised efforts to contain two massive wildfires that have levelled whole neighbourhoods, claimed the lives of at least two dozen people and burned an area the size of Washington, D.C.
Last week’s fires forced the National Football League’s wildcard play-off game between the Rams and Vikings, scheduled for Jan 13, to be moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to Glendale, Arizona, and postponed games for the Lakers and Clippers.
Lakers coach J.J. Redick, whose home in the Pacific Palisades was lost in the fire, said the franchise would do their part to help the city rebuild.
“We are committed as ever to Los Angeles,” he said.
“We recognise it’s not just our community that has been impacted by this. We’re committed to helping people as much as we can and we’re going to do that.”
Meanwhile, tennis star Naomi Osaka beat Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open on Jan 13 but admitted it was difficult to focus on the match considering her home is in danger of being burnt down by the wildfires.
Osaka came out on top 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 against the Frenchwoman.
Born in Japan, the 27-year-old has lived in the US since childhood and has made LA her home.
“I was watching the fire map and the fire is three blocks from my house,” said Osaka, who has an 18-month-old daughter.
“So, I had someone go and get my daughter’s birth certificate because I didn’t know what would happen if that burned down. Sending all my love to LA. It is really difficult for me and I think it’s tougher because I find now my home is more of a home because I have memories with my daughter.
“There’s so many things, keepsakes and stuff like that. Obviously, you can’t hoard them all when you’re asking them to go to your house and just grab stuff.”
She revealed that she did find it difficult to fully concentrate on her match in Melbourne, but also said that it could also be a motivating factor going forward.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been doing the greatest keeping focus. But, obviously, I won, so I think it’s an acceptable job,” Osaka added.
“I’m not there (in LA), so I don’t know how bad it is or how bad it’s going to get. But I think the biggest thing that I am grateful for is that everyone in my family is safe.
“I don’t feel like it’s safe enough to go back there. It’s kind of a little bit in a limbo, but also motivating me to hopefully stay here as long as I can.” REUTERS, AFP
