Lakers latest star Luka Dončić donates $500,000 to California wildfire aid – NBC Los Angeles
Luka Dončić has recorded his first help as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, and it didn’t come on the basketball courtroom.
Dončić has but to make his Lakers debut–which is predicted to occur on Monday night–however he’s already making an affect on the group far past the hardwood.
Earlier than donning the long-lasting purple and gold, on the courtroom, the five-time All-NBA level guard stepped up for his new metropolis that’s nonetheless reeling from devastation.
Dončić, acquired by the Lakers in a blockbuster commerce with the Dallas Mavericks on February 1, introduced on Monday morning that his basis is donating $500,000 to wildfire aid efforts.
Dončić made the announcement in an Instagram submit for his Luka Dončić basis that learn:
“One month after the fires, many households are nonetheless rebuilding their lives. At the moment, the Luka Dončić Basis is committing $500,000 to speedy hearth restoration efforts, and can work with native organizations to assist rebuild play areas destroyed by the fires.
We’re dedicated to serving to youngsters in affected communities get again to taking part in and being youngsters.
#LAWildfires #LAStrong”
The donation was made by way of the Neighborhood Basis Wildfire Restoration Fund, which is able to present speedy aid whereas additionally funding long-term tasks to revive playgrounds, fields, and courts misplaced to the flames.
Dončić reportedly noticed a number of the devastation within the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities and wished to assist his new metropolis rebuild as quickly as he may, and in any method that he may.
Doncic isn’t alone in giving again. A month in the past, Los Angeles’ sports activities group got here collectively, with groups collectively donating $8 million to wildfire aid. Dodgers celebrity Shohei Ohtani, a Southern California resident since 2018, additionally pledged $500,000. Freddie Freeman contributed $300,000. Chris Taylor’s CT3 Basis launched a fundraising marketing campaign, matching donations as much as $5,000.
After which there’s Clippers proprietor Steve Ballmer and his spouse, Connie, whose $15 million dedication dwarfed all of them, directing assist particularly to Altadena—a historic, racially various group hit exhausting by the Eaton Hearth. The FireAid profit live performance on the Ballmer-owned Intuit Dome and Kia Discussion board solely strengthened town’s united entrance in supporting these affected.
Doncic’s donation struck a chord nicely past L.A. Most of the remark o his Instagram submit got here from Mavericks followers nonetheless heartbroken over his departure.
“That’s why Dallas loves him a lot—as a result of he has a real coronary heart. ❤️” one fan wrote.
“That is the true motive Dallas is so unhappy to lose Luka. Goes a lot past the courtroom, it was 177% about tradition and group,” one other added.
However now, Los Angeles will get to expertise that very same generosity firsthand. In a metropolis that has embraced larger-than-life superstars for generations, Doncic is already proving that his affect will probably be as profound off the courtroom as it’s on it.
In keeping with their web site, the mission of the Luka Dončić Basis is to assist younger folks uncover their potential by way of sports activities, play areas, and wellness help. The Basis launched in December 2024 with the discharge of an in depth report on the state of youth basketball within the U.S. and Europe.
The Basis plans to donate vital further funding over the subsequent two years to assist guarantee that youngsters who’ve misplaced their play areas – what Luka calls his “peace place” – are capable of get again on the playground, subject or courtroom as quickly as potential for the sake of their psychological and bodily wellbeing.
The Basis believes that play areas are vital infrastructure. Serving to youngsters discover pleasure after they want it most is crucial.
The Basis is actively exploring how finest to go about these efforts alongside the numerous unimaginable organizations working to assist rebuild Los Angeles.
With Dončić anticipated to make his Lakers debut on Monday night time at Crypto.com Area towards the Utah Jazz, followers in Los Angeles will know that even earlier than he scores a single level for the purple and gold, he could have already delivered his first–and arguably most necessary–help for the group.
