by Isabella Vargas
“I love L.A. (We love it!) / I love L.A. (We love it!) / We love it!”—the famous lyrics from Randy Newman’s song I Love L.A.—chanted from the seats of Dodger Stadium after a win, bringing the people of L.A. together to celebrate their boys in blue. Besides being the 2024 World Series Champions, the Dodgers are just as good when it comes to giving back to the community and fans that have their back.
With the recent devastating fires that have swept through Los Angeles, the Dodgers organization, many players, and their families have stepped up to help those affected.
The Dodgers organization partnered with eleven other Los Angeles sports teams to donate over $8 million to support the victims and firefighters. They also partnered with Fanatics to create “L.A. Strong” shirts, making it known that all profits would go to wildfire victims. Many of the teams used their training facilities, arenas, and stadiums as locations to distribute personal hygiene products, clothing, and more.
“Beneficiaries of the teams’ contributions include the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon, and various local animal rescue organizations,” said the Dodgers in an Instagram post on their official page.
While the Dodgers gave back to the community, many players took matters into their own hands. Freddie Freeman and his wife, Chelsea Freeman, donated $300,000 to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Dodgers MVP Shohei Ohtani also gave back and visited the Los Angeles Fire Department with his teammates.
“Our hearts go out to all the firefighters who continue to fight for us during the fires in L.A. We’ll be donating $500,000 to help those firefighters and those forced to live in shelters,” said Ohtani in an Instagram post on his official page.
Dodgers shortstop Chris Taylor and his wife, Mary Keller-Taylor, used their foundation, the CT3 Foundation, for the second annual Polar Plunge to raise money for the LAFD. Fans gathered at the Manhattan Beach Pier to watch their favorite players plunge into the cold water to raise funds for the LAFD Foundation.
“Their CT3 Foundation will donate a significant percentage of the proceeds to local firefighters due to the L.A. fire,” said the Dodgers and Chris Taylor in an Instagram post on their official page.
With the devastating fires taking so many homes and more from the people of Los Angeles, knowing that your favorite sports team has given back and set up so many ways to help brings joy to many. The Dodgers’ actions to help their fans and community show that this goes beyond baseball. It is more than just a game—it brings a community together and a team willing to give back to their die-hard fans and city when they hurt.
The game of baseball brings so much joy to the people of Los Angeles, and seeing it become more than just a sport has brought so many people hope. From giving back to organizations that support children’s education, veterans, and children’s health to stepping up for their community in times of crisis, baseball is more than just a game. When it comes to L.A., you can count on your boys in blue to give back to the community that loves them the most.
