Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, Jan. 17, the Los Angeles Rams teamed up with L.A.'s 11 other professional sports organizations to host one of three simultaneous major donation events taking place across the city, including at The Shops at Hollywood Park next to SoFi Stadium, to benefit those affected by this month's unprecedented fires.
Rams Legends Aaron Donald and Todd Gurley Joined the Distribution Event Alongside Front Office Staff, Mascot Rampage and Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders to Represent LA Together.
"LA Strong is about the community staying together," said Donald. "Everybody is playing their part and that's why we're here today, watching everybody step up and help people in this time of need."
The Angels, Angel City FC, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, LAFC, Kings, Lakers, Rams and Sparks – in partnership with the teams' own foundations joined forces with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to distribute $3 million worth of Fanatics merchandise to Angelenos who are still evacuated from their homes. Teams also collectively contributed thousands of essential items that were given out at three venues across Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium, Dodger Stadium, and BMO Stadium.
The resource fair at The Shops at Hollywood Park also provided evacuated families with access to representatives from organizations who offer support as they rebuild. Rams and Hollywood Park community and corporate partners and allies also provided support and items to aid the community.
"Today was about bringing LA Together to help Angelenos who are hurting right now," said Rams Executive Vice President of Community Impact and Engagement Molly Higgins. "We are so grateful to our Hollywood Park family for their partnership in hosting this important event and to our many partners and agencies, who answered our invitation to wrap resources around our neighbors who have been displaced by the fires. We know this will be a long process of recovery and rebuilding and we are committed to providing both immediate and long-term support."
Official grocery partner of the Rams Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions (AVP) provided $200,000 dollars in gift cards for groceries. Each family was provided with a gift card while supplies lasted to ensure access to groceries during this uncertain time. Rams partner Uber provided a code to attendees as they continue to help residents safely evacuate by providing rides to designated shelters, up to $40 per trip, for anyone who needs transportation assistance. Clothing items additional to those provided by Fanatics were gifted by official Rams partners Pacsun and True Religion. Pillows were provided by the Rams official furniture partner Bob's Discount Furniture.
Call Jacob, the official legal partner of the Rams, provided free legal services and fire claim advice to community members as well as branded backpacks for attendees to collect and carry items they needed most. In addition, the official healthcare partner of the Rams Cedars-Sinai donated over 10,000 N-95 masks for evacuees for air quality safety and provided healthcare professionals to volunteer and provide Share and Care mental health tips.
Essential items including blankets, deodorant, dental kits, lotion, first aid kits, soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes, and more were donated by the official airline partner of the Rams American Airlines as well as official partners Baxter of California and L.A. Care Health Plan. Official SoFi Stadium partner Melissa's Produce provided fruit and snacks alongside Rams and SoFi Stadium partner Frito Lay. Rams official partner Little Caesar's also provided 150 pizzas for volunteers and attendees. In addition, mental health resources and essential items were provided by CalHOPE through their organizations BrightLife Kids and Soluna. Rams and SoFi Stadium partner Verizon provided device charging support services and portable phone chargers on-site at the event.
Community partners that donated items and provided volunteers included nonprofits Shoes That Fit and Hav A Sol who provided over 2,000 pairs of shoes, and Marymount High School and School on Wheels provided backpacks, school supplies, water bottles and toiletries. Additional food was provided by the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and World Cental Kitchen.
Additional support and donations were provided by Baby2Baby, Born x Raised, Bricks & Wood, CAVA, Crumbl Cookies, Dunkin', Food Forward, Jerry Leigh, Legends, Lululemon, Made to Order, Mitchell & Ness, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, WEAR, Wild Collective and WSS.
Local organizations and public services were on site to provide attendees with advice and assistance as they begin to rebuild. Among those were the California Department of Insurance, California Fire Foundation, FEMA, Habitat for Humanity, LA City Planning, LA City Economic and Workforce Development Department, LA County Mental Health, LA County Public Health, Project Camp and Small Business Administration.
To date, the Rams family has donated around $2 million in contributions to organizations such as the LAFD Foundation (benefitting both LA County Fire and LA City Fire), American Red Cross and Pasadena Community Foundation. Specifically, Rams Owner/Chairman Stan Kroenke and the Kroenke Family Foundation gave $1M to LAFD Foundation. The McVay and Whitworth families donated $400,000 evenly split between the LAFD Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation's Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund. The Kupp family will match public donations up to $500,000 per fund to generate an additional $1 million in relief. Official Rams partner Pechanga Resort Casino and the Rams Foundation also donated $250,000 split between LAFD Foundation, Red Cross and World Central Kitchen. Kyren Williams, who received $25,000 to support a charity in recognition of his Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, directed those funds to LAFD Foundation. Proceeds from the Rams Wild Card 5050 Raffle went to the American Red Cross and LAFD Foundation. Proceeds from the continuous sales of LAFD hats and shirts which fans can still purchase at www.ramsfanshop.comm will also benefit LAFD Foundation and the Red Cross.
