Amid the wildfires that have ravaged Southern California this month, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and former offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth are uniting to contribute $400,000 to relief efforts.
The donation will be evenly distributed between the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.
Additionally, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and his family will match public donations up to $500,000 for each foundation to generate an additional $1 million in relief funding.
Those who plan to contribute to the aforementioned foundations are encouraged to include the Rams in the notes section to ensure their donation is matched by the team.
The Rams previously announced that they will be supporting the LAFD Foundation to benefit both the County and City Fire Departments as well as the Red Cross.
Rams owner Stan Kroenke and his family, through their Kroenke Family Foundation, are donating $1 million benefitting the LAFD Foundation. The Kroenke Family Foundation previously participated in crisis-relief efforts, with the most recent donation coming amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
“On behalf of our family and the Los Angeles Rams, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the unfathomable fires and destruction,” the Kroenke family said in a statement.
“We are beyond grateful for the tireless efforts of our first responders who continue to protect our community as well as individuals who continue to help our neighbors in need. We know there are both immediate and long-term needs and our family and the Rams are committed to doing our part to support recovery efforts now and into the months and years ahead.
Aside from the Rams, the NFL is providing $5 million in total to support communities affected by the wildfires. The Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and the NFL Foundation are also joining the Rams by contributing $1 million each to help deliver vital resources to local organizations supporting those affected.
Rams team up with L.A. teams in wildfire relief efforts
The Rams, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Angel City Football Club, Chargers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Angels, LAFC, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Galaxy, and Los Angeles Sparks, pledged a donation of more than $8 million to support victims in need, as well as those fighting the Southern California wildfires.
The L.A. teams also partnered with Fanatics and the Fanatics Foundation to distribute $3 million worth of the brand’s merchandise to Angelenos who have been evacuated from their homes.
